Judge K.P. George orders investigation as delays mar voting in Fort Bend County, TX

Those “responsible will be held accountable,” says the Indian American county executive.

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Early voting in Texas started Tuesday, with many voters enthusiastically lining up to exercise their democratic right early morning onward. However, voters in Fort Bend County, the richest and 10^th largest county in the state, could not vote for several hours as voting machines malfunctioned throughout the jurisdiction.

The machines were back online by 11 am central time.

However, the county’s Indian American chief executive, Judge K.P. George, said he was “extremely disappointed” will order a “full investigation” and those “responsible will be held accountable.”

“I am extremely disappointed with the technical glitches that riddled Fort Bend County Election machines this morning,” he tweeted Tuesday morning. “Those who are responsible will be held accountable. In an era voter where suppression is real, I will authorize a full investigation and call for accountability.”

I am extremely disappointed with the technical glitches that riddled Fort Bend County Election machines this morning. Those who are responsible will be held accountable. In an era voter where suppression is real, I will authorize a full investigation and call for accountability. pic.twitter.com/ZD5Hf2y37D

— County Judge KP George (@JudgeKPGeorge) October 13, 2020

In another tweet, George, a Democrat, said he was “with voters at the Smart Financial Center mega site” and “will not leave until the machines are operational and online again.”

The county executive reminded voters that “people have died for our right to vote.” He added, “Stay in line or come back at a convenient time – the future of our country depends on us. You have three weeks to vote early. We have also extended the hours on the last three days of Early Voting till 9pm for working families.”

Born in a tiny village in Pathanamthitta in India’s Kerala state, George moved to the United States in 1993 to work for a financial company. He became the country executive in January 2019, after ousting the Republican incumbent the previous November. He is the first Asian American county judge in Texas’ history.

The early voting in Texas lasts through October 30. President Donald Trump and the Democratic nominee Joe Biden are in a surprisingly close race Texas, historically a Republican stronghold.

READ MORE:

Indian American K.P. George creates history, takes oath as Fort Bend County judge in Texas (January 2, 2019)