Election results reported nearly 12 hours after polls closed

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- Houstonians learned midday Wednesday that the race for mayor will continue into December in a runoff election.

What stuck out with that result was the timing that it took to it.

The Harris County Clerk's office contended orders by the Texas Secretary of State's office virtually caused the delay.

The clerk went even further to explain possible political pressure. The clerk, Diane Trautman, is a Democrat. The secretary of state is a Republican.

WATCH: Ted Oberg breaks down the back and forth between clerk and secretary of state

Was political pressure applied on Harris County election officials when results were delayed for ours on Election Day? We explore what was said between the county and the state.

A day before voters in the Houston area cast their ballots, State Sen. Carol Alvarado, who represents District 6 encompassing Harris County, sent a letter requesting clarification on the secretary's instructions.

"The Harris County Clerk's Office put together the Harris County Central Count Plan to outline a specific protocol that meets the unique needs of our county," Alvarado wrote. "Election officials now anticipate election results to be released later than previously expected."

In response, Keith Ingram, the director of elections in the secretary of state's office, sent back his response to Alvarado.

"It appears Harris County was, unfortunately, proposing to implement a process that conflicted with these laws," Ingram said.

At issue was this following law:

Texas Election Code Section 129.054 prohibits voting systems from being connected to "any external communications network."

Nevertheless, incumbent Mayor Sylvester Turner received less than 50 percent of the vote and will head to a runoff with challenger Tony Buzbee on Dec. 14.