Dallas County GOP Abandons Ballot Hand-Count Plan

The Dallas County Republican Party has abandoned its plan to conduct a hand-count of ballots for the March 3 primary. Instead, the party will use county election equipment for the election administration. This decision, announced recently, aims to avoid delays in reporting results that could arise from hand-counting.

Reasons for Abandoning Hand-Count Plan

Chairman Allen West stated that the collaboration with the county reduces potential liabilities. He emphasized the importance of conducting a precinct-based electoral process, which would facilitate the timely reporting of results.

• Hand-counting would slow down results beyond the 24-hour reporting requirement for Texas primaries.
• Under Texas law, if one party opts for a hand count, both parties must use precinct-only voting.
• The decision spares all Dallas County voters from the complexities of a hand count.

Concerns Over Hand-Counting

Opponents of hand-counting, including election officials and experts, argue that it is more costly and labor-intensive than machine tabulation. They warn that such methods can introduce human error and are less efficient in producing timely election results.

Logistical Challenges

In December, the Dallas County GOP reported raising over $400,000 for the counting initiative and recruiting more than 1,000 workers. However, unresolved issues about staffing and funding posed significant barriers to proceeding with the hand count.

• Texas requires that ballots for hand-counted elections be cast and counted at designated precincts.
• The GOP expressed concerns about not having enough counters, with West noting the need for at least 3,000 workers.
• Early voting begins on February 16, adding urgency to the situation.

Next Steps

By choosing to contract with the Dallas County Elections Department, the Republican Party will avoid complications associated with hand-counting. Both major parties can continue to operate using established voting machines and procedures.

The expected contract between the Dallas County GOP and the county elections office is anticipated to be finalized soon. This strategic move reflects a pragmatic approach amid ongoing discussions about election integrity and trust in the voting process.