Walker County adopts resolution opposing rollback of countywide voting and electronic ballot devices

Walker County Commissioners Court approved a resolution Jan. 13 opposing proposed state legislation that would eliminate countywide vote centers, electronic poll books and electronic ballot‑marking devices.

The measure, identified in the meeting as Resolution 2025‑25, passed by voice and raised‑hand vote after a presentation from an elections official who outlined the county’s use of state‑certified voting equipment and the role countywide voting plays in reducing wait times and preventing provisional ballots.

The elections official said the county had “purchased electronic ballot‑marking device[s] with the latest federally and state‑certified equipment while maintaining that paper ballot feature,” and that updated electronic poll books “streamlin[e] that process and confirm[ ] voters were not [already] voted by mail or voted at another polling place on election day.” The official warned the proposed rollback would “require more polling places” and “more election workers,” and said it could “lead to the disenfranchisement of the voters.”

The elections official also noted statewide organizing among election administrators to oppose the proposed bills and said the county planned to circulate the court’s resolution to lawmakers and election officials across Texas.

Presiding court members moved and seconded the resolution; the court voted “all in favor” and the motion carried.

Why it matters: Countywide vote centers allow registered voters in Walker County to cast ballots at any vote center during early voting and at designated centers on election day. Commissioners cited reduced wait times and fewer provisional ballots as operational benefits; staff said removing the program would re‑establish precinct‑based restrictions and require additional staff and equipment.

The court did not record a roll‑call vote with counts during the meeting; the clerk recorded the action as carried.