Voter suppression effort at work in Houston as 'crooked' Republican files a challenge to thousands on the rolls

Section 16.092 of the Texas Election Code allows any individual to challenge the voter status of anyone. That's exactly what happened in Houston this week when thousands of voters got letters saying they have to verify their voting status.

KTRK told the story of Lynn Lane, who went to the mailbox this week to find a letter he almost didn't open.

"For some reason, I decided to open the letter. When I opened it, it said if I didn't respond to this letter within 30 days, my voter registration would be deleted from the rolls," he said.

Most of the challenges to registration are in the Third Ward.

"One of the things that's frustrating to me is that I've lived in my residence for five years. I voted every election, every bond issue, every primary, so there's never been a lapse in my voter registration. And so there's no reason to challenge me," Lane continued.

To make matters worse, the Harris County Attorney's Office told KTRK that there was a "glitch" in their system, so those who got a letter are already "suspended."

The man who filed the challenge is the chair of the Republican Party Ballot Security Committee, though the local county party said he acted on his own.

"We will not be intimidated," the Harris County Republican Party said in a statement. It's unclear how they became the victim in the issue. "It is inexcusable that Democrat Ann Harris Bennett failed to follow the law. She should not have suspended voters' registrations. And the outrageous doxing and threats against Republican volunteers by leftists only hardens our resolve to fight their dirty tricks."

The county Democratic Party called it outright voter suppression and a tactic to frighten those in heavily Democratic and minority neighborhoods.

"If it is a widespread practice, it's something that's pretty tragic. I am aware of some residents here in Third Ward getting some of those," voter Cleve Tinsley said.

Lane agreed, saying he is concerned it will deter people from going to the polls in November.

"It is definitely about voter suppression. It feels incredibly sided and crooked," he said.

The county attorney's office said it's reviewing the challenge to see if it is valid. If it is not, everyone will get a correction letter.