Bexar County Officials Cite Touchscreen Sensitivity After Three Reported Ballot Changes

Common Cause Texas policy director Emily French stated on a call with reporters on Monday that voting machines in Bexar County are not switching votes. She attributed the reported discrepancies to the sensitivity of the touchscreens rather than programming errors. French compared the user experience of the current equipment to older handheld devices, noting that the screens feel more like Palm Pilots than modern smartphones.

The comments follow a report by KSAT detailing at least three instances where early voters claimed their choices were altered by the machines. In each case, the voters reported that their selections changed from Democratic candidates to Republican ones. The alleged incidents occurred at the Converse Community Events Center, Wonderland of the Americas, and Macedonia Baptist Church.

Michele Carew, the Bexar County Elections Administrator, confirmed in a statement on Friday that the county is reviewing these complaints. She said her office is in communication with the equipment manufacturer to determine if any specific action is required. Carew advised voters to notify a poll worker immediately if a printed ballot does not match their intended choices.

The technical review comes as national political groups prepare for the November 3 midterm elections. Michael Sozan, a senior fellow at the Center for American Progress, said during a recent press call that the Trump administration is actively attempting to sow confusion about the election system. He stated that the administration appears to be manufacturing lies about election integrity to enable future disputes over valid results.

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries spoke to reporters in San Antonio on Sunday regarding the readiness of the Democratic Party. He told the San Antonio Current that Democrats have established the largest voter protection effort in the history of a midterm election. Jeffries said the party is prepared to ensure that American people decide who holds the majority in the next Congress.

Early voting in Bexar County continues through October 30. Polls will reopen on Election Day, November 3. Residents can verify their registration status and find polling locations on the Bexar County Elections Department website. Those who encounter voter intimidation or believe their rights are being infringed upon can call 866-OUR-VOTE for legal advice.

French emphasized that while fears about election integrity are common, it is highly unlikely that an outside force could cause the machines to switch votes from Democrat to Republican. She maintained that the machines are not altering ballots, though the physical interaction with the screen may not always reflect what the voter had in mind when pressing their finger to it.