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Williamson County OKs HAVA resolution and purchase of ballot‑on‑demand printers after public debate on secrecy and operations
Summary
The commissioners court voted 5‑0 to approve a resolution to apply for federal HAVA funds and to buy ES&S ballot‑on‑demand printers for November; public speakers and election integrity advocates urged caution about ballot secrecy, certification and operational readiness.
Williamson County Commissioners Court voted unanimously June 24 to approve a resolution to apply for 2025 Help America Vote Act (HAVA) funds and to purchase ballot‑on‑demand (BOD) equipment from ES&S, a purchase elections staff said would cost about $1,100,000.
The action directs the county to submit a HAVA resolution to the Texas Secretary of State and authorizes the election administrator to purchase the ES&S BOD system and related supplies. Elections Administrator Bridget Escobedo told the court the state set aside roughly $10 million in HAVA funds for Texas; Williamson County is guaranteed about $52,000 but she said the county will request reimbursement for the full equipment purchase.
The nut of the debate focused on ballot secrecy, certification and operations. Multiple members of the public, including Marsha Strickler Watson, Laurie Gallagher and Dr. Laura Presley, urged the court either to reject the federal funds or to delay buying the BOD printers until more testing and cybersecurity review. "A million dollars...for a ballot on…
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