Dallas County weighs alternatives after turmoil at ballot-technology vendor; staff to brief court on options before year end

County elections officials told the Commissioners Court on Aug. 5 they are monitoring vendor disruption after that vendor's leadership signaled sudden resignations and sent messages suggesting an impending shutdown. Elections Administrator Jonathan Garcia said the county has not experienced an operational disruption but acknowledged the company—s internal turmoil created uncertainty as a multi-million-dollar contract expires at year—s end. Garcia said the Secretary of State recently launched an updated TEAM voter-management platform and that Dallas County could use the state system as a short-term option while the county evaluates longer-term choices and, if necessary, issues a calm, competitive RFP. "If we have to look elsewhere, we've got a free to us alternative that appears... the state option is the most reasonable choice on the table," a county official said. Commissioners asked for an inventory and testing report of election equipment, maintenance plans and the number of full-time and temporary election hires planned for November. Staff said ES&S (contractor) is performing maintenance and that the county is testing tabulators and printers; a request for $50,000 in out-of-warranty repairs was on the consent agenda. The court did not take emergency procurement action at the meeting; elections staff scheduled follow-up briefings and a meeting with the vendor for the week after the court session.