Commissioners approve election judges despite Precinct 17 retaliation allegation

Hardin County Commissioners Court voted 4–1 to accept the slate of election judges and alternates to serve from Aug. 1, 2026, through July 31, 2028, after a public complaint that a Precinct 17 judge replacement appeared retaliatory.

At the meeting, a precinct official who identified himself as the Precinct 17 Republican chairman raised concerns about the handling of judge appointments and election materials. “That the court not act on a recommendation of precinct, judge 17 that appears to be retaliatory in action,” he said, alleging the county party chairman told him “she would never be a judge while he was county chairman.” He also cited Election Code requirements for posting voter-rights and ballot instructions at polling places and warned the conduct “reeks a retaliation of whistleblower and official oppression.”

County Clerk Connie Beckman responded that staff delivered election materials to polling locations the morning of the election. “We all got here at 05:30 or 05:45 in the morning, and y’all delivered into each of the election polling places,” she said, describing staff efforts to ensure materials were present. Commissioners discussed internal party grievance options and the limits of the court’s role; the judge noted party chairs may submit updated lists and that the court could revisit appointments up to the statutory deadline.

Commissioner Cooper moved to accept the nominations “as is”; after discussion, the motion passed 4–1. The court’s approval leaves the immediate appointments in place while preserving parties’ ability to change judges before the legal cutoff date.

The complaint raised a possible referral avenue (criminal or party grievance) but the court did not take additional formal action on a referral during the meeting. The county clerk and elections administrator were recorded saying they will accept supplemental party submissions as permitted by law.