McLennan County keeps two South Waco vote centers as court approves consolidated map for Nov. 4 special election

The McLennan County Commissioners Court voted Sept. 2 to approve a consolidated list of vote centers for the Nov. 4, 2025, constitutional special election and to retain two neighborhood sites — South Waco Recreation Center and the 20 Fifth Street Fire Station — after several residents and civic groups urged the court to keep the locations open.

Public commenters said those two sites are “anchors” in their neighborhoods and urged the court to prioritize access for residents who face transportation and mobility barriers. Several commissioners said they were persuaded to add the two sites so neighborhood voters are not asked to cross busy roads or travel farther than necessary.

The change follows recent state legislation that altered how counties may calculate precinct consolidation. Jared Goldsmith, McLennan County elections administrator, told the court that state law changes earlier this year led the county to add 12…