Court Acknowledges Harris County Voting Irregularities in Republican Election Challenge—But Denies Relief
HOUSTON, TX — In a case that underscores both the fragility and resilience of Texas elections, the Fourteenth Court of Appeals has affirmed a lower court ruling in Chris Daniel v. Marilyn Burgess, rejecting Republican candidate Chris Daniel’s challenge to the 2022 Harris County District Clerk election. The court’s opinion, issued April 22, 2025, found evidence of voting irregularities, but ultimately held that the legal threshold for overturning an election was not met.
Daniel, represented by Guest and Gray Law Firm, alleged that a series of procedural failures on election day—polling places opening hours late, widespread paper shortages, and malfunctioning voting machines—disenfranchised a significant number of eligible voters. Daniel lost to Democrat Marilyn Burgess by 25,640 votes.
Despite the court’s refusal to void the election, the ruling acknowledges the seriousness of Daniel’s claims and the real breakdowns in Harris County’s election process.
Appellate Court Confirms Irregularities—but denies relief
The court accepted that mistakes and misconduct did occur at polling places across Harris County on November 8, 2022. The panel concluded that Daniel presented legally sufficient evidence showing that:
Ballot paper shortages led to long lines and voters leaving without casting ballots.
Dozens of polling places failed to open on time, with some not operational until midmorning.
Machine malfunctions contributed to delays, confusion, and potential voter suppression.
However, the legal standard under Texas Election Code § 221.012(b) required Daniel to prove that at least 25,640 eligible voters were prevented from voting due to these issues—enough to cast the outcome into doubt.
The court found no such numerical evidence. Despite evidence of numerous mistakes and potential misconduct, the court ruled that without quantified proof of the scale of disenfranchisement, the election would stand.
Guest and Gray Law Firm Presses for Accountability
Guest and Gray Law Firm, a Forney, Texas election law firm, represented Republican Daniel throughout the proceedings, positioning the case not merely as a partisan battle, but as a test of the state’s commitment to voting access and transparency. The firm’s legal strategy brought to light serious issues affecting voters across party lines—issues that, had they occurred in a tighter race, may have proved decisive.
“Our client, Republican Chris Daniel, stood up for every voter who was turned away or discouraged from participating in our democracy,” said a representative from Guest and Gray. “We believe this case was about more than an election result—it was about defending the right to vote, and exposing systemic problems that demand attention.”
By pursuing this challenge, Guest and Gray Law Firm put a spotlight on election day operations in Texas’ largest county, elevating concerns that could shape reforms in how future elections are managed.
While much of the national conversation around election integrity is mired in partisanship, this case reflects a challenge rooted in documented failures, not speculation. Daniel’s legal team did not allege fraud—but instead focused on incompetence, delay, and preventable obstacles faced by thousands of voters.Â
“At Guest and Gray we continue to fight for fair elections, and this case should serve as warning to officials that administrative failures can disenfranchise voters. We will continue to be a voice for disenfranchised voters." said Scott Gray, Parnter at Guest and Gray Law Firm. Â
A Case That May Shape Future Election Litigation
While the ruling ultimately upheld the election results, it may become a landmark in Texas election law, reinforcing the difficulty of challenging outcomes—but also affirming the judiciary’s willingness to recognize and scrutinize voting irregularities.