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County approves replacement poll pads and ballot-redaction software, files state grant application to cover costs
Summary
Liberty County commissioners approved purchasing 35 replacement poll pads, one-time ballot-redaction software and applied for a Texas Secretary of State grant expected to reimburse most costs; the county plans to match part of the award.
The Liberty County Commissioners approved purchases and a grant application Tuesday to comply with updated state election requirements.
County Clerk staff told the court the touchscreen poll pads the county purchased in January 2019 have been decertified and must be replaced. The court approved purchasing 35 replacement poll pads from Hart InterCivic and No Inc for $38,500; the purchase will be paid from election funds and the clerk said the county is eligible for a state grant to offset most of that cost.
On software, the court approved a one‑time license purchase for special-ballot redaction software for the VISTA SG elections database. The one‑time license cost is $2,487.50, professional services (installation and training) $5,200, and annual support $2,125. The clerk described the software as a requirement used to remove ballot-style information that could identify voters when the county responds to public information requests.
County staff said they submitted (or would submit) an application to the Texas Secretary of State’s HAVA-related grant program that could provide roughly $42,500 for Liberty County to cover poll pad replacement and related costs; the county estimated a 20% local match (about $8,000) for the anticipated award.
All three items — the poll pads purchase, the redaction software purchase and the grant resolution authorizing the request for Secretary of State funds — were approved by the court. The clerk indicated the county will seek grant reimbursement and that the grant award would be awarded in August if approved.
Why it matters: The purchases implement state-mandated updates to election hardware and data protections for ballots. The grant application is intended to reduce the county’s out-of-pocket cost.
