Court directs switch to hand‑marked paper ballots for November; staff to present implementation plan by June 23

The Commissioner's Court voted unanimously to adopt hand‑marked paper ballots for the November election and directed the elections office to present an implementation plan by June 23.

Public commenter Leigh Moore urged the court to delay a maintenance contract with the county's current vendor and argued state and federal changes could make some ballot‑marking devices (BMDs) unnecessary. Elections Administrator Caleb Breaux and county staff responded in public that federal Help America Vote Act (HAVA) requirements and ADA accessibility rules still require counties to provide ballot‑marking devices for voters with disabilities.

Breaux said the county expects to retain roughly 300 ballot‑marking devices in inventory to meet HAVA/ADA needs (one per location plus backups), while noting the county could retire certain curbside or express touch units if the court adopts the hand‑marked model. He said the vendor contract under consideration could be amended to reflect any changes after the court’s direction.

Breaux told the court that staff has identified federal sub‑grant opportunities under HAVA that may offset some costs; he cited an estimated eligible subgrant bucket and said the county’s earlier cost estimates were below prior $3–$4 million scenarios. He stated that his office can meet the November timeline but that deadlines are tight and that staff will return June 23 with details on resources, training and any contract amendments.

Court members approved a motion to implement hand‑marked paper ballots for November and to task staff to return with an implementation plan by June 23. The motion carried 4–0.