Harris County, DOJ near settlement over poll access

The U.S. Department of Justice will monitor Harris County elections for up to four years under the proposed settlement of a federal lawsuit over inadequate access to polling places for disabled voters. Commissioners Court will consider the 15-page settlment during an executive session at its regularly scheduled meeting Tuesday. Under the proposed agreement, Harris County would have to make accessibility improvements to voting sites, as well as hire two outside election monitors and hire or desig