1. Countywide Polling Place Program
Texas Secretary of State Elections Division
2/24/2019
Countywide Polling Place Program
Andre Montgomery
July 2016
2/24/2019
Texas Secretary of State Elections Division
Texas Secretary of State Elections Division

2. What is the Countywide Polling Place Program?
Texas Secretary of State Elections Division
2/24/2019
What is the Countywide Polling Place Program?
Similar to Early Voting, the program allows any voter to vote at ANY county polling place on Election Day.
Does NOT eliminate your voter registration precincts.
2/24/2019
Texas Secretary of State Elections Division
Texas Secretary of State Elections Division

3. Historical Background
House Bill 758 (2005, 79th Legislative Session) added section to the Texas Election Code providing for the countywide polling place program. Lubbock County was the first county to participate in the program during the November general election in Currently, there are 39 Texas counties who have been designated as “successful” under the countywide polling place program.
2/24/2019
Texas Secretary of State

4. Texas Secretary of State
Program Specifics
May only be used in certain elections:
November General Election
November Constitutional Amendment Election
May Uniform Election Date
Primary and Primary Runoff Election
Elections of local political subdivisions if held jointly with one of the above
Limited slots for initial participation in the program:
6 slots for counties with population of 100k or more
4 slots for counties with population under 100k
2/24/2019
Texas Secretary of State

5. Technological Requirements
Must EXCLUSIVELY be using direct recording electronic (DRE) voting systems on Election Day.
Must have a computerized voter registration list capable of instantaneous verification that a voter has not voted (e-pollbooks).
2/24/2019
Texas Secretary of State Elections Division

6. Application Requirements
Counties must submit an application to SOS to participate in the program. The application must include:
A letter detailing specifics for implementing the program in the county, including:
Details regarding the counties technological capabilities;
Details regarding the selection of polling places (including locations) and election officials;
A communication plan to inform voters of the county’s use of the program;
Demonstration of a resolution of joint election issues.
A letter signed by the county judge indicating support of the county’s plan and requesting SOS approval.
2/24/2019
Texas Secretary of State

7. Application Requirements (cont.)
A county seeking to participate in the program must hold a public hearing of its commissioners court on the implementation of the program. A recording or transcript of the hearing must be provided to SOS as part of the county’s application.
2/24/2019
Texas Secretary of State

8. Selection of Polling Places/Poll Workers
In an election in the first year of using the program, a county must use at least 65% of the polling places it would otherwise use in that election.
Drops to 50% after the first year of use of the program.
Code is not specific on how to select polling places or appoint pollworkers.
Counties should consider a variety of factors in selecting polling locations. Selection may not dilute voting strength/representation of any group.
Counties may wish to form committee to assist with selection process.
In selecting pollworkers, counties may wish to track the voting history of the location of the polling place and make appointments accordingly.
2/24/2019
Texas Secretary of State

9. After a Countywide Election
Texas Secretary of State Elections Division
2/24/2019
After a Countywide Election
Following any election under the program, the county must submit a report to SOS on the use of the program for that election including voter turnout data for that election and previous similar elections. The report must be submitted 30 days after the election.
After one election under the program, a county may apply for “successful” status which will allow the county to utilize the program for any qualified election. Unless the county has been designated as “successful”, the county will have to file a full formal application to use the program in subsequent elections.
2/24/2019
Texas Secretary of State
Texas Secretary of State Elections Division

10. Texas Secretary of State
“Successful” Status
Following one countywide polling place program election, the county commissioner’s court must hold another public hearing on the use of the program in the election.
The county must then submit a letter from the county judge to SOS requesting “successful” designation following one (or more) countywide polling place program elections. A transcript or recording of the public hearing must be included in the request.
SOS will review the request along with the county’s report on the election (which included voter turnout data for the countywide program election and previous elections). No complaints that have been supplemented with evidence regarding the use of the countywide program may be received in order to request successful status.
2/24/2019
Texas Secretary of State

11. Current “Successful” Counties
Aransas County Grayson County Potter County Brazoria County Hood County Randall County Brazos County Hopkins County Rusk County Callahan County Jefferson County San Jacinto County Collin County Lampasas County Smith County Coryell County Lubbock County Swisher County Eastland County Madison County Taylor County Ector County McLennan County Tom Green County Erath County Midland County Travis County Floyd County Milam County Victoria County Fort Bend County Montague County Wharton County Gaines County Navarro County Williamson County Galveston County Parker County Young County
2/24/2019
Texas Secretary of State