Worker dies from electrocution outside polling place on Election Day, TX officials say

A worker for the City of Houston died on Election Day after being electrocuted outside a polling place, Texas reports say.

The incident happened just before noon on Tuesday, Nov. 8, near the Melrose Park Community Center, KRIV reported.

The worker, whose name has not been announced, died in the basket of a cherry picker that was “extended near a flood light pole at the community center,” according to KTRK.

KHOU reported that the worker was pronounced dead at 12:30 p.m.

A representative for CenterPoint Energy told the Houston Chronicle “the individual was working on customer-owned equipment that is not owned or maintained by CenterPoint Energy to install lighting at the park.”

In a statement to multiple media outlets, Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner referred to the death as a “tragic work-related incident.”

“My prayers are with the employee’s family and co-workers, and I ask all Houstonians to keep them in your prayers,” Turner said.

Power was restored to the center around 2 p.m., the Chronicle reported, but the polling place remained close.

Voting at the polling location “was no longer feasible” following the incident, Harris County Elections spokesperson Leah Shah told Houston Public Media.

“Harris County Elections has been forced to close the polling location at Melrose Park Community Center due to issues outside of our control,” election organizers said in a 3:30 p.m. update.

Harris County registered voters are allowed to vote at any of the county’s polling locations.

This story was originally published November 9, 2022 at 5:39 AM with the headline "Worker dies from electrocution outside polling place on Election Day, TX officials say."