A Tarrant County voter said his printed ballot did not accurately reflect his selection for president, prompting elections officials Tuesday to publicly dispel rumors of voter fraud.
In a now-viral video on social media, a man said he early voted Monday in White Settlement, a suburb of Fort Worth, and his paper ballot was incorrect. Tarrant County voters make their selections on a screen, then print a paper ballot to review and submit.
“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 in the video. “Check your paper ballots, everybody.”
The video has been viewed tens of thousands of times since it was posted Monday. Tarrant County Republican Party Chair Bo French shared the video on X, later writing that former President Donald Trump was aware of the issue.
But county officials said the incorrect ballot appeared to be a simple mistake. In a video posted Tuesday to X, Tarrant County Elections Administrator Clint Ludwig said officials believe the man accidentally selected the wrong candidate on the screen, then noticed his mistake on the paper ballot.
“This is not uncommon,” Ludwig said.
The voter notified a poll worker, who voided the ballot, and the man revoted. In a statement, county officials said voters should 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 100,000 people have voted early so far in Tarrant County.
“Tarrant County Elections has no reason to believe that votes are being switched by the voting system,” the county said in a statement.
The issue could inflame groups that have sought to sow doubt 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.
Tarrant County Judge Tim O’Hare, a Republican, appeared to ease worries about voting in a post Tuesday afternoon on X.
Election Statement:
As of 3:00 p.m. today, there have been over 101,000 votes cast in Tarrant County. The enthusiasm for this election is off the charts. Out of all the votes cast, one person has claimed his vote was altered from the time he marked it on the screen to the time…
— Tim O’Hare, Tarrant County Judge (@TimothyOHare)
“The enthusiasm for this election is off the charts. Out of all the votes cast, one person has claimed his vote was altered from the time he marked it on the screen to the time it was printed,” O’Hare said. “Voters should always review their choices on the screen before printing the paper ballot. After the paper ballot is printed, voters should review their choices again before casting their ballot. If any intended selection is not listed on your paper ballot, you may ask the Election Judge to spoil your ballot, and you will receive a new ballot…Voters can vote with confidence in Tarrant County.”
County officials said they 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.
Texas requires all voting systems be publicly tested before the election and requires background checks for all personnel who prepare, test or service voting system equipment, according to the secretary of state’s office.