The Potter County Republican Party is pursuing legal action to prevent the certification of Texas’ election results unless every ballot is manually counted. This lawsuit raises concerns about the potential interference from artificial intelligence or other “malicious actors” compromising the integrity of voting machines, although it does not suggest any issues with previous elections.
Chairman Daniel Rogers and the party assert that the upcoming elections could be tampered with through sophisticated technology. They are advocating for a hand count of all ballots across every precinct in Texas prior to certifying the election results, citing fears that components sourced from China in voting machines could be manipulated.
In their court filing, the plaintiffs highlight the risks associated with rogue AI programs capable of infiltrating voting systems undetected. They argue that these technologies could potentially alter final election outcomes without leaving a trace. The lawsuit emphasizes the necessity of thorough verification through hand counting of all paper ballots in the state before the official certification of results.
While Texas law mandates hand-count audits in elections utilizing electronic tabulators, the plaintiffs contend that this measure is insufficient in light of recent advancements in AI. The court documents assert that the possibility of a discreet and undetectable hack necessitates a comprehensive manual recount to safeguard the election’s integrity.
In response to the lawsuit, two national Democratic organizations have sought to intervene. The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC) and the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) filed a motion to join the case as defendants, arguing that the lawsuit would disrupt Texas’ established election procedures. Currently, Potter County Elections Administrator Christy Benge is the only named defendant.
Opponents of the lawsuit argue that executing an accurate hand count of millions of ballots within Texas’ post-election timelines is impractical. They warn that the plaintiffs’ request threatens to create confusion and disorder in the lead-up to the election, as it seeks to overturn longstanding ballot-canvassing rules just days before voting concludes.
With over 19 million registered voters in Texas and early voting numbers exceeding those from the 2022 midterms, the urgency for a smooth election process is heightened. The opponents’ court brief cautions that the plaintiffs’ demands would disrupt state law and jeopardize the timely certification of election outcomes.
Previously, Dallas County Republicans had aimed for a full hand count of paper ballots for the March primary election in December 2025. However, those plans were abandoned due to unforeseen financial and logistical challenges.
