Box 13 scandal

The Box 13 scandal was a political scandal occurred in Jim Wells County, Texas during the Senate election of 1948.[1] Lyndon B. Johnson appeared to have lost the election to Coke Stevenson, but six days after polls had closed, 202 additional ballots were found in Precinct 13 - all of which were in Johnson's favor. Stevenson remained ahead of Johnson during the run-off and by midday, but after the discovery of the additional ballots, 200 additional votes for Johnson were found, leading to his victory.[1]

Investigation

Following this Harry Lee Adams[2] started a private, non-official investigation. During this investigation Adams noticed many signs of voter fraud. Adams started an official investigation, while Johnson had Abe Fortas help with his legal strategy during this investigation. The investigation centered around whether or not Johnson had George Parr, a member of the Democratic party in Texas, help him falsify ballots.[1]

Aftermath

The investigation eventually reached the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court Justice, Hugo Black, ruled that the federal government was not allowed to get involved with a state election. This ruling won Johnson the election, despite allegations of Johnson speaking with George Parr, in South Texas that day, resulting in box 13 having 200 missing ballots.

There would be no charges, due to the fact that nothing could be proven. Pulitzer Prize winning author Robert A. Caro covered the Box 13 scandal in his 500-page book, The Years of Lyndon Johnson: Means of Ascent. About a quarter of this book is devoted to the 1948 Texas Senatorial election.

A stage play, "Box Thirteen", by Jack Westin, had its premier presentation at the College of the Mainland Community Theatre in the 1998-1999 season.[3]

References
  1. "The Mystery of Ballot Box 13". Washington Post. March 4, 1990.
  2. Dallek, Robert (1991). Lone Star Rising: Lyndon Johnson and His Times, 1908-1960. 200 Madison Ave, New York, NY 10016, United States: Oxford University Press. pp. 340. ISBN 9780195054354.CS1 maint: location (link)
  3. Hudson, Angela (June 11, 1999). "The Galveston Daily News from Galveston, Texas on June 11, 1999". Galveston Daily News. p. 21. Retrieved 26 January 2021. A Tommy Townsend, left, appears with Bill Low in a scene from the world premiere of "Box Thirteen," which is being performed at the College of the Mainland Arena Theatre through June 27.
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