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 polling locations for recent elections; he proposed a new total of 36 vote centers for the upcoming special election to balance equipment and personnel costs against geographic coverage. Goldsmith said his analysis showed 36 centers fit the county’s current size and distribution but that he was open to 38 if the court preferred to retain the two South Waco sites.

Residents who spoke at the meeting said low turnout at some neighborhood sites reflected historic access problems — transportation, childcare and work schedules — rather than lack of need. “Closing the doors doesn’t solve that problem,” said Jeremy Davis, calling the sites “trusted places that people already know and rely on.” City Council member Isabel Lozano sent a letter urging the court to keep the South Waco Recreation Center open because many residents there “rely on its accessibility and familiarity.”

The court debated equity across commissioner precincts and asked Elections to provide voter-registration counts by commissioner district to confirm whether the proposed map spreads centers proportionally. Goldsmith estimated roughly $2,000 in cost per check-in line (equipment, supplies and personnel) and told the court he needs final decisions promptly to meet election-notice deadlines; the court noted that a signed notice of election must be completed about 60 days before the Nov. 4 election.

Motion and vote: A motion to approve the recommended consolidated list with the addition of South Waco Recreation Center and the 20 Fifth Street Fire Station passed unanimously. Recorded votes were: Commissioner Smith — aye; Commissioner Wilson — aye; Judge Felton — aye; Commissioner Jones — aye; Commissioner Perry — aye (with a request to study precinct distribution and bring more data forward). The transcript does not identify the motion mover and seconder by name.

The court directed Elections to supply the precinct- and commissioner-level registration totals and to work with Commissioner Perry on a follow-up agenda item; commissioners suggested revisiting the map after additional population data and before future elections. Jared Goldsmith said he would provide the requested numbers and displays and that the court could consider further adjustments at a future meeting.

Why it matters: The county’s decision sets where voters will cast ballots for the Nov. 4 special election and balances election costs, staffing and equipment needs against neighborhood-level access for populations the speakers described as historically underserved.

Looking ahead: Commissioners asked staff to return with more granular registration and turnout data for the court to consider at or before its Sept. 16 meeting; Elections will proceed to prepare notices and logistics for the approved set of vote centers for the November special election.