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Precinct 2 Primary Election Results Challenged in Court

**Headline: Legal Battle Intensifies Over Disputed Montgomery County Commissioner Primary Election Results**

**MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Texas –** The primary election for Montgomery County Commissioner, Precinct 2, has plunged into a legal battle, with incumbent Charlie Riley’s narrow 27-vote victory now under judicial scrutiny. Opponent Greg Parker has filed a lawsuit challenging the results, alleging significant irregularities and a lack of proper ballot handling that he argues should compel a redo of the election.

The contentious case is set for a three-day trial from May 20-22, 2024, in the 418th state District Court in Montgomery County. Judge Amy Tucker will preside, after Judge Tracy Gilbert recused himself due to past campaign contributions from Riley.

The controversy stems from election night on March 5, when Riley was initially declared the winner. However, the integrity of the vote count began to unravel with issues surrounding a memory card from a voting machine at Precinct 88, located at Magnolia High School. This card initially reported zero votes for Parker but was later corrected to reflect 134 votes. Critically, this correction, along with other ballot updates, was not formally reflected until the “Election Day 2” report, generated on March 8 – three days *after* the election itself.

Parker’s attorney, Paul Cunningham, has highlighted how these discrepancies and subsequent updates drastically altered the outcome. After the initial election night tally, Parker ultimately saw an additional 278 votes come in, including provisional ballots. This influx whittled Riley’s original 75-vote lead down to a razor-thin 27 votes. The final certified count showed Riley with 4,008 votes to Parker’s 3,981.

Parker’s lawsuit claims that these irregularities, particularly concerns over chain of custody for ballots and the delayed vote updates, are substantial enough to invalidate the election results and necessitate a new election for Precinct 2. This primary challenge going to trial is an unusual occurrence in local politics, underscoring the high stakes involved.

Testimony is expected from key figures in the county’s election process, including Montgomery County Election Administrator Suzie Harvey, who has already testified about election procedures. Shanna O’Brien, the election judge for Precinct 88, is also slated to provide testimony, offering insights into the specific issues at Magnolia High School.

Riley’s legal team, however, maintains that the election administrator acted within her rights to correct the canvassed returns and that the 27-vote margin represents the legitimate and final outcome of the primary. They argue that the process, while experiencing some delays, ultimately yielded an accurate count.

The Montgomery County Commissioner, Precinct 2, oversees a vast geographical area and is responsible for significant infrastructure projects, road maintenance, and public services within their precinct. The outcome of this trial could have profound implications, potentially forcing a new primary election that would undoubtedly reshape the general election landscape for November and further delay the definitive selection of a Republican nominee. Voters and political observers alike are closely watching the proceedings, anticipating a verdict that could ripple through the county’s political structure.

Media

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