Forensic Audit Division
In 2021, with support from the Texas Legislature (PDF), the Texas Secretary of State’s office established the Forensic Audit Division to comply with Section 127.351 of the Texas Election Code, which requires the Secretary of State to conduct an audit of the elections held in four randomly selected counties during the previous two years.
The mission of the Forensic Audit Division is to thoroughly review and examine election records and documents maintained by county election officials to:
(1) ascertain whether election laws and procedures were properly followed;
(2) attempt to determine the causes of any discrepancies in vote counting or tabulation; and
(3) identify opportunities for enhanced efficiency and security in Texas election administration.
Below, please find several reports and resources regarding the Texas Secretary of State’s Forensic Election Audits.
Reports:
- Executive Summary: Phase 2 Report on Full Forensic Audit of 2020 General Election in Texas (PDF)
- Final Phase 2 Report on Full Forensic Audit of 2020 General Election in Texas (PDF)
- Letter to Harris County on Mobile Ballot Boxes from the 2020 General Election lacking proper chain-of-custody and request for corrective action (PDF) (October 18, 2022)
- 2020 General Election Full Forensic Audit – Phase 1 Progress Report (PDF) (December 31, 2021)
- Counties’ Response to Phase 2 Forensic Audit Document Requests (PDF) (December 2021)
- Phase 2 Document Request from Texas Secretary of State (PDF) (December 10, 2021)
Press Releases:
- Secretary Scott Releases Phase 2 Report on Full Forensic Audit of 2020 General Election in Texas (December 19, 2022)
- Texas Secretary of State Releases Phase 1 Progress Report on Full Forensic Audit of 2020 General Election (December 31, 2021)
- Texas Secretary of State Issues Document Request for Phase 2 of Full Forensic Audit of 2020 Election in Collin, Dallas, Harris and Tarrant Counties (December 10, 2021)
- ICYMI: Secretary John Scott: Full Forensic Audit will Restore Faith in Texas Elections (November 22, 2021)
- Secretary Scott Visits With Collin, Dallas and Tarrant County Elections Officials Ahead of Election Day (October 29, 2021)
- Texas Secretary of State's Office Announces Full Forensic Audit of 2020 General Election in Four Texas Counties (September 23, 2021)
