At least a single ballot printed in White Settlement on Monday, the first day of early voting, did not accurately reflect a voter’s choice for president.
Tarrant County voters make their selections on a screen, then print a paper ballot to review and submit. County officials said in a written statement Tuesday that when one voter printed his ballot Monday, it showed the incorrect candidate.
The voter informed a poll worker, the incorrect ballot was voided, and the voter marked a new ballot with his preferred choice selected, the county said, adding that it encourages voters confirm their selections on their paper ballot before submitting.
A county spokesperson told The Dallas Morning News no other incorrect ballots were reported. More than 58,000 people voted Monday in Tarrant County, easily topping 2020, when 42,351 people cast ballots on the first day of early voting.
“Tarrant County Elections has no reason to believe that votes are being switched by the voting system,” the county said in a statement.
Notice of the incorrect ballot comes as a video is circulating widely on social media of a man who said he voted in White Settlement, a suburb of Fort Worth, and his paper ballot was incorrect. Tarrant County Republican Party Chair Bo French shared the video Monday on X.
“I voted for one president, checked it on the video screen. When I got the paper ballot, it had the other candidate’s name on it,” the man says. “Check your paper ballots, everybody.”
Tarrant County said it reported the matter to the Texas Secretary of State’s Office. A spokesperson for the office did not immediately respond to an email Tuesday from The News seeking more information.
The incorrect ballot could inflame groups fueling worries about the integrity of voting, even as election officials offer repeated assurances that voting is secure and accurate. The Dallas County Republican Party last week issued a long list of concerns about voting machines, but a state examination found no problems.
Only 28% of Republicans say they are confident in the accuracy of election results nationwide, compared to 84% of Democrats, according to a Gallup poll released in September 2024.
Texas requires all voting systems be publicly tested before the election and requires background checks for all personnel that prepare, test or service voting system equipment, the secretary of state’s office says.
