Collin County approaches elections transparency with Severa ballot redaction tool

Collin County's Commissioners Court meeting on April 21, 2025, spotlighted a crucial update from Elections Administrator Caleb Breaux regarding the handling of ballot images. The discussion arose from public information requests for ballot images dating back to the 2024 primary elections, prompting concerns about voter privacy and the need for redaction.

Breaux explained that the Texas Attorney General's office advised that ballot images must be redacted to prevent linking them to specific voters. In response, Collin County is considering a partnership with Severa, a vendor used by neighboring counties like Denton and Tarrant, which provides a redaction tool designed to streamline this process. Breaux highlighted the efficiency of Severa's tool, noting that it would take approximately two months to implement after sending sample files for testing.

The financial implications of manual redaction were significant. Breaux estimated that manually redacting the 520,196 records from the 2024 general election would require around 21,675 hours of labor, costing approximately $324,000. In contrast, using Severa's tool could provide a more cost-effective and timely solution.

Commissioners expressed their support for the proposed partnership, emphasizing the importance of transparency and efficiency in the electoral process. The court unanimously approved moving forward with the initiative, marking a proactive step in addressing the challenges of election transparency and voter privacy in Collin County.