Comal commissioners back countywide polling locations and electronic poll books

Comal County's Commissioners Court unanimously approved a resolution on Feb. 27 supporting the countywide polling-place program and the continued use of electronic poll books.

Elections staff member Ms. Jaquay told the court that 99 Texas counties use countywide polling and that taking the system away would force a return to paper rolls and localized precinct-only voting that could confuse voters and complicate early voting administration. "We would revert back to paper, voter-registration lists, signing combo forms," she said, adding that the electronic poll books help the county track whether a voter has already cast a ballot.

Jerry Champlin, president of the League of Women Voters of the Comal area, spoke during public comment to urge commissioners to approve a resolution opposing the program's elimination. "Each year we talk to thousands of Comal County voters. They all like the fact that they can choose where to cast their ballot," Champlin said.

Commissioners framed the vote as preserving voter convenience and cost effectiveness; one commissioner said the countywide program makes hosting elections "a lot easier and more convenient for our voters, and it's a lot more cost effective for us when we have to host elections." The court voted to approve the resolution and send it to the county's state representatives in Austin.

The resolution supports retaining countywide polling locations and electronic poll books and formally opposes legislation that would require precinct-bound polling or eliminate electronic poll books. The court did not specify further actions beyond transmitting the resolution to legislators.