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10:59 PM EST
ABC NEWS SPECIAL REPORT: CONTROVERSY, ALLEGATIONS OVER TEXAS POLLING STATIONS ESCALATES
Walters: "We just discussed major issues with voting in the battleground state of Texas, which has 26 Electoral Votes. We're turning now to one of our reporters in Fort Worth to leaning more about the situation. Madam, what's going on over there?"
Reporters: "Barbara, Harry, and Howard, there's a hot controversy blowing up within the past hour or so, as several polling stations were having serious problems including issues having access following severe rain over the previous six days. You can still see here in the background how it's raining and the streets are wet. We received at least a dozen reports that roads near polling stations were blocked by trees and branches which fell to the ground or hit a few buildings. While these barriers were removed within hours, the lines before polling stations grew longer and longer. Then over in Dallas, we had specific reports from the offices of Texas Governor Dolph Briscoe and Texas Secretary of State Mark W. White on whether voting could resume beyond the original deadlines. Both Governor Briscoe and Secretary White confirmed that anyone standing in line by the time of regular closing of voting hours, was able to cast his or her ballots. However, despite these assurances, this was bluntly attacked by United States Senator John G. Tower (R-TX) saying the exact opposite. This has resulted in sowing confusion here in the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex, even among poll-workers including local reporters we were speaking with. Six polling stations subsequently closed down at the orders of local government officials, citing the remarks by Senator Tower and the Republican National Committee which angered many local elected officials, who quickly went on the offensive and demanded the polls to be opened again. US Rep. Henry B. Gonzalez (D-TX), who is a surrogate for the Brown campaign, just told me the Brown campaign is considering an ad-hoc lawsuit in getting these polling stations opened again. We haven't received any information on whether these polling stations have reopened yet. It sure doesn't look like it. There is currently a back-and-forth discussion and we've been told the Brown campaign executives have gathered in Sacramento and weighing their options. Spokersperson for the Brooke campaign in Houston declined to comment, saying "these matters of question should be decided by the local and state officials."
Walters: "Oh my goodness, and from the way things are going, we're looking at a very, very close election for the Presidency of the United States since 1960 which might be decided by several states, which we're getting reports of not being able to call a winner. We will be keeping a close eye on the situation in Texas."
Reasoner: "And you've got a US Senatorial election taking place here as well, don't you?"
Reporter: "Yes sir, that is correct, Harry, I just wanted to about as well. Indeed, there's a US Senate election going on simultaneously. United States Senator Lloyd Bentsen (D-TX) is seeking reelection to a second term after an unsuccessful campaign for the Democratic Presidential nomination earlier this year, before deciding to seek reelection to his Senate seat. Bentsen easily defeated Republican challenger, US Rep. Alan Steelman (R-TX) by a wide margin."
Reasoner: "Despite the quiet reelection of Senator Bentsen, looks like we're about to be getting an election controversy in Texas. Thank you for this special report. We'll certainly talk again later."
Reporter: "We almost certainly will. Thank you both very much."
Walters: "I just hope this situation can be cleared up and clarified sooner. It might actually depend on how long the night processes. In the worst case scenario, we have to face the possibility on a dragged-out legal fight over the Presidency, should Texas be one of the deciding states."
Reasoner: "I hope so too Barbara. Now we're going to be taking a short commercial break before we return back with more coverage of ABC News' Election 76 Coverage. Stay tuned with us."
ABC NEWS SPECIAL REPORT: CONTROVERSY, ALLEGATIONS OVER TEXAS POLLING STATIONS ESCALATES
Walters: "We just discussed major issues with voting in the battleground state of Texas, which has 26 Electoral Votes. We're turning now to one of our reporters in Fort Worth to leaning more about the situation. Madam, what's going on over there?"
Reporters: "Barbara, Harry, and Howard, there's a hot controversy blowing up within the past hour or so, as several polling stations were having serious problems including issues having access following severe rain over the previous six days. You can still see here in the background how it's raining and the streets are wet. We received at least a dozen reports that roads near polling stations were blocked by trees and branches which fell to the ground or hit a few buildings. While these barriers were removed within hours, the lines before polling stations grew longer and longer. Then over in Dallas, we had specific reports from the offices of Texas Governor Dolph Briscoe and Texas Secretary of State Mark W. White on whether voting could resume beyond the original deadlines. Both Governor Briscoe and Secretary White confirmed that anyone standing in line by the time of regular closing of voting hours, was able to cast his or her ballots. However, despite these assurances, this was bluntly attacked by United States Senator John G. Tower (R-TX) saying the exact opposite. This has resulted in sowing confusion here in the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex, even among poll-workers including local reporters we were speaking with. Six polling stations subsequently closed down at the orders of local government officials, citing the remarks by Senator Tower and the Republican National Committee which angered many local elected officials, who quickly went on the offensive and demanded the polls to be opened again. US Rep. Henry B. Gonzalez (D-TX), who is a surrogate for the Brown campaign, just told me the Brown campaign is considering an ad-hoc lawsuit in getting these polling stations opened again. We haven't received any information on whether these polling stations have reopened yet. It sure doesn't look like it. There is currently a back-and-forth discussion and we've been told the Brown campaign executives have gathered in Sacramento and weighing their options. Spokersperson for the Brooke campaign in Houston declined to comment, saying "these matters of question should be decided by the local and state officials."
Walters: "Oh my goodness, and from the way things are going, we're looking at a very, very close election for the Presidency of the United States since 1960 which might be decided by several states, which we're getting reports of not being able to call a winner. We will be keeping a close eye on the situation in Texas."
Reasoner: "And you've got a US Senatorial election taking place here as well, don't you?"
Reporter: "Yes sir, that is correct, Harry, I just wanted to about as well. Indeed, there's a US Senate election going on simultaneously. United States Senator Lloyd Bentsen (D-TX) is seeking reelection to a second term after an unsuccessful campaign for the Democratic Presidential nomination earlier this year, before deciding to seek reelection to his Senate seat. Bentsen easily defeated Republican challenger, US Rep. Alan Steelman (R-TX) by a wide margin."
Reasoner: "Despite the quiet reelection of Senator Bentsen, looks like we're about to be getting an election controversy in Texas. Thank you for this special report. We'll certainly talk again later."
Reporter: "We almost certainly will. Thank you both very much."
Walters: "I just hope this situation can be cleared up and clarified sooner. It might actually depend on how long the night processes. In the worst case scenario, we have to face the possibility on a dragged-out legal fight over the Presidency, should Texas be one of the deciding states."
Reasoner: "I hope so too Barbara. Now we're going to be taking a short commercial break before we return back with more coverage of ABC News' Election 76 Coverage. Stay tuned with us."
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