Anne Nelson, who identified herself as precinct chair and Democratic election judge for Precinct 2C and a leader with the Van Zandt County Democrats, asked the court to approve consolidating two rural polling places into one location at Old Bethel Baptist Church for the upcoming election.

Nelson told commissioners that options for election sites in the two precincts are limited and that the consolidation would likely provide the best alternative for the upcoming election. “We support the merging of the two precincts together,” she said, and offered assistance from party leadership to help notify voters. Nelson thanked the county clerk’s office for being responsive to questions and said she and the county chair would help with outreach.

The county judge said he was surprised the consolidation matter surfaced without broader coordination and asked to meet with both Democratic and Republican precinct chairs to verify whether the proposed location is workable and meets election requirements. An election official advised the court that there is a statutory timeline for changes and suggested the court had time—approximately 30 days—before certain deadlines, but commissioners opted to allow staff time to consult precinct chairs.

Action taken: the court voted to table consideration of consolidating Precinct 2B (Old Bethel Baptist Church) and Precinct 2C (Fowlwood/Falmouth Independent Church) into a single polling place at Old Bethel Baptist Church so the precinct chairs can review accessibility, voter notification and operational details before final action.

Next steps: the county judge will meet with both precinct chairs and return to the commissioners court with a recommendation or bring the item back to a future meeting within the election timeline if a change is necessary.