Court explores vendors for ESD voter lists and election services; no contracts approved

Hunt County Commissioners on June 16 discussed two separate election‑related items: whether a law firm that helped with past redistricting could build voter lists for two emergency service districts (ESDs), and outreach from an elections vendor that provides ballot creation, equipment and staffing.

Judge Stovall said he had spoken with Eric McGee of Allison Bass McGee LLP, which helped the county redistrict after the 2020 census. McGee told the judge the firm typically works with addresses rather than merged voter-registration lists and likely could not perform an electronic voter-list merge the county needs for ESD petition and outreach work. County GIS staff confirmed a merge may be technically possible, but the court did not approve any contract and left the item open for follow-up.

Separately, an elections vendor that supplies voter equipment and services reached out offering training and personnel for the next election. The judge said the vendor can assist with ballot preparation, equipment and in‑person staffing, and the court left that item on the agenda pending a meeting the vendor scheduled with county officials.

Why it matters: The county is preparing for ESD elections and is under time pressure to assemble accurate voter or resident lists; the right vendor or consultant could ease administrative burdens, but the court must ensure any contractor can produce the specific data and services required.

What’s next: Judge Stovall said he expected to have more information after the vendor and law‑firm follow-ups and asked that the items remain on the next agenda so the court can consider a potential contract or decline to proceed.

Ending: No contract was approved; the judge said the county will continue outreach and expect briefings at the next court meeting.