McAllen fields election complaint claiming ‘potential irregularity’ in District 3 race

1 week ago 58

McAllen city officials late Friday said they’re working with their election software vendor to address a complaint about a “potential irregularity” in the District 3 race.

In a statement issued after 8 p.m., officials confirmed they received a complaint about the matter and “immediately notified” Election Systems & Software LLC — a third party vendor based in Omaha, Nebraska.

“McAllen is working with ES&S to identify and resolve any possible software errors,” the city said in the statement, noting that the vendor is registered with the U.S. Election Assistance Commission and is certified with the Texas Secretary of State.

The city went on to say that the issue is limited to District 3 and that both McAllen and the vendor independently verified that “not a single vote in the District 1 race has been compromised by the irregularity.”

Although the person lodging the complaint wasn’t identified in the statement, District 1 candidate Tim Wilkins has been vocal on social media, saying that 108 ballots were cast by “ineligible voters.”

“The significance? It all hinges on whether the election is decided by fewer than 108 votes,” Wilkins said via Facebook on Friday.

Wilkins then proceeded to take credit for exposing what the city characterized as “possible errors.”

“Understand this: it was MY effort, care, and relentless follow-up that exposed this,” Wilkins asserted on his Facebook page.

Although the District 1 hopeful said he would bring “the same vigilance and accountability” to city hall if elected, he took to social media again several hours later claiming he was withdrawing.

“I am beginning the process of withdrawing from the District 1 race, in protest. And, I will sue the City of McAllen for every damn penny I spent on this rigged, broken election,” Wilkins wrote, claiming multiple errors by the city including allegations of “sabotage of the democratic process” and a “crushed turnout.”

Wilkins also set his sights on his opponent, “local media” and voters, stating: “But let’s be real: too many of you didn’t vote. Didn’t care. Didn’t pay attention. And if you stayed silent while they stole your voice? Then you didn’t just lose your vote. You gave it away.”

MyRGV.com reached out to City Manager Isaac Tawil late Friday for comment. The city responded in its statement and assured “multiple protocols” safeguarding Saturday’s vote.