Auditor's Office outlines need for new poll books; supervisors weigh $300,000 estimate against other election costs

The Dallas County Board of Supervisors heard on Jan. 22, 2026 that the county's current precinct poll book system is time-consuming and may need replacement.

The Auditor's Office reported that the current Precinct Atlas system requires roughly 120 hours of IT work per election because county laptops must be updated and connected to scanners and printers. Auditor's Office staff said an iPad-based system would reduce that IT time by more than half and that iPads typically have a longer expected useful life than the county's Windows laptops.

The Auditor's Office estimated the new poll book system could cost about $300,000; staff also requested approximately $70,000 for secure cages to store and transport voting equipment. Board members expressed concern about tapping the county capital fund identified in the transcript as "cipcap," noting that tabulators and ADA-compliant voting machines will likely need replacement in the next three to four years at an estimated total cost of about $1 million. Supervisors requested a schedule showing how much would need to be set aside annually to fund those replacements before committing capital funds to the poll books.

Chair Julia Helm and Supervisors Kim Chapman and Brad Golightly discussed timing and funding priorities with Auditor's Office staff; the board did not take a formal vote on purchasing the poll book system at the Jan. 22 meeting. The item will return to budget discussion in the coming week, with staff asked to provide a multi-year funding schedule.

The meeting adjourned at 1:19 p.m. on a motion by Supervisor Kim Chapman seconded by Supervisor Brad Golightly; the motion passed with all ayes.