Gilberto Hinojosa, Chairman of the Texas Democratic Party, has raised serious concerns about potential election fraud in Hidalgo County. This comes after a hotly contested Democratic primary runoff for Justice of the Peace Precinct 3, Place 1, where Sonia Trevino was certified as the winner with 4,233 votes, narrowly defeating Ramon Segovia, who garnered 4,202 votes.
Allegations of Election Fraud
Ramon Segovia, represented by Hinojosa, has filed a lawsuit alleging several instances of voter fraud:
- Illegal Voting: The lawsuit claims numerous votes were cast by individuals registered at addresses that were either not their actual residences or were not residential addresses at all.
- Improper Voter Assistance: It alleges that many voters received help in reading or completing their ballots, despite not qualifying for such assistance under Texas law.
- Mail-in Ballot Issues: The suit points out that several mail-in ballots were counted even though they were cast by ineligible voters, had incorrect or mismatched signatures, or were prepared without the voter’s direction.
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Call for a New Election
Given that the number of alleged illegal votes surpasses the margin of victory, the lawsuit argues that it’s impossible to determine the true winner. As a result, Segovia and Hinojosa are seeking to have the election results voided and a new election ordered. The lawsuit also accuses Sonia Trevino of conspiring to influence and pressure voters to support her by unlawfully exploiting voter assistance laws.
Hinojosa’s allegations come at a time when election integrity is a contentious issue in Texas. His claims contrast sharply with the position many Texas Democrats have taken in recent years. In 2021, Texas Democratic lawmakers famously fled to Washington D.C. to block a bill they said would suppress votes. The current Texas Democratic Party platform calls for “universal, no-excuse” mail-in voting and the repeal of voter ID laws.
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Previous Cases of Election Fraud
This isn’t Hinojosa’s first foray into election fraud cases. He is also representing Edinburg city council candidate Gerry Lozano, whose election results were recently thrown out by a judge. The ruling came after it was found that campaign workers, known as politiqueras, illegally assisted voters in casting ballots for Lozano’s opponent.
As this legal battle unfolds, it underscores the ongoing debate over election security and voter fraud in Texas. Hinojosa’s involvement in these high-profile cases highlights the internal tensions within the Texas Democratic Party regarding election integrity and voting rights.
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For residents of Hidalgo County and the broader South Texas region, the outcome of this lawsuit could have significant ramifications. It not only questions the integrity of the recent primary runoff but also sets the stage for potential changes in how future elections are conducted and monitored.
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