Henderson County court adopts resolution opposing elimination of countywide polling places

The Henderson County Commissioners Court unanimously approved a resolution opposing proposed changes in the Texas Legislature that would eliminate countywide polling places, electronic poll books and electronic ballot‑marking devices.

The vote, taken during the court's regular meeting, directs county officials to oppose legislation that would require a return to precinct‑based polling and would bar the county's current use of electronic poll books and electronic ballot‑marking devices.

County election staff and several commissioners told the court the countywide vote‑center model has reduced confusion about where residents can vote and shortened processing time. The county currently operates 17 vote centers on Election Day, they said; under a return to strict precinct voting those centers would need to be replaced with about 30 precinct sites, increasing staffing and equipment needs. County staff said poll workers are paid $12.50 an hour and that many current workers are older — estimated in the mid‑60s to 80s — making recruitment a continuing challenge.

“Our county likes that. It works for our voters,” said Miss Lutke, who presented the resolution and identified her regional role with election administrators. Lutke said there are at least four bills pending in the Legislature that would affect electronic poll books, electronic marking devices and countywide polling place options and that the county should formally declare its opposition now.

The resolution text, read to the court, cites the Texas Election Code (section cited in the drafted resolution as 31 0 1 4) as the statutory authorization for electronic poll books and notes that certification of equipment by the secretary of state is required annually. The resolution argues countywide voting reduces provisional ballots and helps voters who commute across county lines or who travel long distances within Henderson County, which the resolution described as a geographically long rural county where many residents commute for work.

Commissioner McCam made the motion to approve the resolution; Commissioner Richardson seconded. The motion passed unanimously by those present.

The court did not provide specific projections of how many voters would be affected if the Legislature changes law, and the resolution frames the county's position as opposition to the pending bills rather than a request for specific legislative language. The county clerk and election staff will retain the resolution on record and, as the resolution states, may use it when representing the county’s position to the Legislature.

Court members thanked Lutke and noted regional election administrators and several other counties are prepared to support the resolution at the state level. The court recorded the action as an approved resolution opposing elimination of countywide polling places and related electronic equipment.

The court moved on to other business after the vote; no additional action on election policy was taken at the meeting.