Court approves rental of The Texan as polling site for May primary runoff

Henderson County Commissioners Court approved a rental agreement to use The Texan as a polling location for the May 25–27, 2026 primary runoff.

County elections staff member Miss Lecke presented the agreement, calling it “a standard contract,” and told the court the county attorney’s office had reviewed the document. “The county attorney's office has reviewed it, and it will be reimbursed by the secretary of state,” she said, adding that primary-election funds will cover the expense and the county will seek reimbursement from the state.

The court asked whether current practices for polling locations would continue; Lecke said the county will continue using the same two locations in Athens for the runoff and the general election in the fall. After a court member moved for approval with the judge’s authorization to sign and another seconded, the court approved the rental agreement unanimously.

The motion to approve included authorization for the county judge to sign the agreement. The court did not discuss contract dollar amounts on the public record at the time of the vote.

The next step is execution of the lease with the judge’s signature and processing reimbursement through the secretary of state’s election reimbursements.