A voting company owner recently admitted to making a 'coercive' demand of 32 Texas counties, requiring them to pay an additional surcharge for the software that operates their voting registration system or risk losing access just before the upcoming November elections. The owner explained that the 35% surcharge request was necessary due to late payments from various agencies across multiple states, including some Texas counties, which had caused financial strain on the company and made it challenging to meet payroll.
Despite acknowledging the coercive nature of the charges, the owner emphasized that it was a plea for financial assistance to prevent the loss of key employees right before the crucial election period. The company, VOTEC, assured that existing contracts with counties would be honored until their expiration dates, most of which fall shortly before the November elections.
The surcharges have prompted Texas' largest counties to swiftly approve payments or explore alternative solutions to avoid disruption to the voting software during a critical time. The bills presented to the counties represent 35% of two significant line items outlined in the current contracts.
The Secretary of State's office in Texas announced that it was in discussions with the affected counties to explore potential options moving forward. Harris County, the largest county in Texas, has already committed to paying the surcharge of approximately $120,000, citing the indispensable nature of the voting system.
