Commissioners approve 19 early-voting locations for March primary; Starbase considered for election day only

Elections staff recommended 19 early-voting locations for the March primary and told commissioners the list largely mirrors locations used in the 2022 and 2024 primaries, with one substitution: the Gardenia Room at UTRGV will replace a larger campus building listed in the packet.

Commissioners discussed Starbase as a potential election-day site but raised concerns about staffing, drive time, and whether the community could provide poll workers; one commissioner said the site would be justified for election day because it is a public entity but questioned its use as an early-voting site. The administrator said staff will call the jurisdiction tomorrow to verify an appropriate, consistent building if Starbase is to be used in future elections.

Staff explained that, under current policy, any early-voting location must also be used on election day; the administrator noted an upcoming statutory change (identified in the meeting as Senate Bill 2753) that would require an opened early-voting location to remain open for the full early-voting period and to be used on election day. The administrator described limited circumstances in which an early site can be opened after early voting has started, but said notice requirements and other procedures apply.

A commissioner moved to approve the recommended early-voting locations (including the UTRGV Gardenia Room substitution); the motion was seconded and the presiding judge called the motion carried.

Staff said they will confirm final availability for Starbase and update commissioners before adding any site to future early-voting lists.