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County to auction or destroy obsolete election equipment ahead of new voting rules
Summary
Elections staff told the court July 27 they need to clear storage and destroy outdated devices that may contain sensitive data ahead of implementation of a new election-related law; the court approved moving surplus items to auction or destruction and discussed recycling metal ballot boxes.
Elections office staff asked the Commissioner’s Court to approve a three-step process to remove, auction or destroy obsolete equipment so the elections office can prepare workspace for new precinct voting boards under a forthcoming state law. The court approved the proposal.
Miss Wharton, speaking for the elections office, described multiple obsolete devices—old computers and iPads—that can still power on and potentially contain recoverable data. "I just want to be able to destroy those," she said, explaining that election-related boxes and equipment have accumulated in storage and that ballots now need to be kept 60 days rather than two years, which affects storage needs. She also proposed recycling metal ballot boxes and putting any proceeds back into the elections office.
The judge noted sheriff’s office items and some equipment in the district judge’s offices will be included in the surplus list. The court approved the motion to proceed with moving items to auction or destruction; specific auction dates and the mechanics of secure data destruction were not recorded in detail and will be set in follow-up actions.
