European group set to monitor election
The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe will be in Harris County to monitor the election despite threats of arrest from Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott. Abbott talked to KTRH about why he has a problem with the group being here in the first place.
Greg Abbott
“We think it’s highly inappropriate for a voter fraud organization to meet with and to influence this group and try to get them to adopt an agenda to monitor election polls in Texas,” Abbott said.
The group Abbott is referring to is Project Vote, which has ties to Acorn. The OSCE met with officials from Project Vote earlier this year. Abbott says that’s why he is taking a hard stance. He did not adapt this hard line when the group visited San Antonio for the election in 2008.
Jared Woodfill
Jared Woodfill, Chairman of the Harris County Republican Party told KTRH he doesn't want this group looking over anyone's shoulders.
“I just think it’s outrageous that the Obama Administration would welcome these folks to come down here,” Woodfill told KTRH.
South Texas College of Law Professor Gerald Treece told KTRH all the OSCE can do is monitor the election. They cannot do anything else.
“The United Nations doesn’t have any jurisdiction in Texas at anytime, anyplace, anywhere. The sovereign state of Texas and the United States government have jurisdiction,” Treece explained.
The group is supposed to stay at least 100 feet away from polling places. They are not allowed to be inside the building. Abbott told KTRH if the UN group follows Texas law there won't be any problems.
Abbott said, “They have agreed to comply with Texas law. As long as they follow the law they’ll be good to go like anybody else.”
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