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Court approves creation of county election administrator office and appoints judges
Summary
The court approved an order to create a county election administrator office (initially housed in the county clerk's office) and approved appointment of election judges and alternates; commissioners discussed cost, office space and possible future legislative changes.
Unidentified Speaker 5 introduced an order to create a county election administrator position and designate office space in the county clerk’s office, effective Jan. 1, 2025. The court discussed logistics, equipment, and whether establishing the office now risks future wasted spending if state law later abolishes or changes the position. "It gives the appearance of more integrity," Speaker 5 said in support of separating election administration from other county functions.
Speakers debated whether the change would require a ballot measure in some counties and noted that Galveston County previously placed a related item on a statewide ballot. Commissioners asked about costs for furniture and equipment; staff said existing equipment could be reused and the initial increase was mainly salary-related.
Speaker 3 moved to approve the order creating the election administrator designation; the motion passed by voice vote with no recorded roll call. The court also approved an order appointing election judges and alternates, with Speaker 2 moving the appointments and Speaker 5 overseeing paperwork and further processing.
The court set a follow-up schedule to post the position, accept applications and conduct interviews as needed.
