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The Texas Secretary of State's office announced on Thursday, September 23 it has begun a forensic audit of the 2020 election in three North Texas counties, Dallas, Tarrant and Collin along with Harris County.

In a statement sent to CBS 11, it said in part: Under existing Texas laws, the Secretary of State has the authority to conduct a full and comprehensive forensic audit. We anticipate the Legislature will provide funds for this purpose.

Full Text Of News Release From Texas Secretary Of State:
Under existing Texas laws, the Secretary of State has the authority to conduct a full and comprehensive forensic audit of any election and has already begun the process in Texas' two largest Democrat counties and two largest Republican counties — Dallas, Harris, Tarrant, and Collin — for the 2020 election. We anticipate the Legislature will provide funds for this purpose.
Earlier in an open letter to Texas Governor Greg Abbott, Former President Donald Trump has backed House Bill 16(PDF) that calls for a "review of the results of the 2020 general election.

"Bills to audit elections in your great state's House and Senate were considered during Texas' Second Special Session. Instead, the legislature passed a watered-down amendment that doesn't even apply to the 2020 Presidential Election," said President Trump. "This short amendment doesn't answer the questions Texans have about the last election. Texans demand a real audit to completely address their concerns."

President Trump endorsed Governor Abbott on June 1 of this year. "Greg Abbott is a fighter and a Great Governor for the incredible people of Texas. No Governor has done more to secure the Border and keep our communities safe than Governor Abbott," said Trump back in June.

Abbott is up for re-election in 2022 and already has a primary opponent in former Texas Republican Senator Don Huffines and Retired Lt. Col. Allen West.

While the position of Texas Secretary of State is vacant, there is a Deputy Secretary of State who is acting as the interim. Governor Abbott will nominate someone to fill the role. Ruth Ruggero Hughs left at the end of May.

CBS 11 has reached out to the Secretary Of State's Office inquiring who made the decision; when was the decision made; and why. We have also reached out to the Governor's Press Secretary, Renae Eze. We are awaiting a response back from both offices.