[If I understand correctly, in Texas Primary and Run-off elections, the County Executive Committee (the Precinct Chairmen, plus the Party Chairman of a political party) can select the method for conducting the election: paper ballots only, or electronic machines.

AHEM! Is anyone listening? Precinct Chairmen can switch the voting in their political party in their county to paper only ballots during the primary and run-off elections!!!

The primary is at least as important as the general election, because that is when we have a chance to select an America first candidate. Otherwise, it’ll probably be selecting either a RINO or a Democrat.

Further reading could determine if this includes early voting and mail in ballots, which are probably controlled by state law, the County Commissioners, the County Clerk, or the Elections Administrator. It would be cool to be able to eliminate early voting.]

For a Primary Election ONLY (including the run-off), the Party is actually in charge of the election per Title 10 of the Election Code. There is a lot in it. But it does give the party the power to run the Primary and actually requires it in some circumstances. There are also lots of other sections of the Election code that deal with the primary.

[significant issues include: paying for the printing of secure ballots–enough so there’s no way you can run out;
having a handicapped assisting ballot marking device (which doesn’t have to count the votes, just mark them for handicapped people. The county already has these, so there’s no reason why you shouldn’t be able to use those, then just count the ballots like all the others);
a location in each precinct to hold the election, workers, and enough people to help you count the ballots afterwards.
The video and streaming equipment and services to live video stream the count.]

Then per Section 123.001, the CEC can adopt whatever voting system they desire as long as it meets State Requirements. You still must follow the laws that have specifics on dates, times, reporting, etc. However, the method used to conduct the election is up the County Party within State Law guidelines.

In most cases the Party will just contract with the County Elections Department for the Election. But you do not have to do that. You can opt to do it yourself or opt to have another approved voting system used even if you contract with them.

The CEC is only in charge of the Primary (and Run-off). For all other elections you must follow the County Elections Commission and County Commissioners rulings as long as they are within State Law for equipment and conduct.

I am not sure if this answered your question. But please let me know.

Thanks
xxx someone

Sec. 123.001. ADOPTION OF VOTING SYSTEM REQUIRED. (a) Before
a voting system may be used in elections, the authority designated by
this section, by resolution, order, or other official action of the
authority, must adopt the system for use in the elections.
(b) The decision on whether to adopt a voting system is made by
the following authority:
(1) for general elections for state and county officers,
the commissioners court;
***(2) for primary elections, the county executive committee
of the political party holding the primary;***

On Monday, May 2, 2022, 10:48:07 PM CDT, someone wrote:

Hi David,

On May 2, 2022, at 10:15 PM, sirdavid@windstream.net wrote:

Hi.
blah blah
I’m a precinct chairman, precinct 13, Gillespie County.

Last year our Elections Administrator told our CEC we had to decide if we wanted to use the newly purchased Hart scanners, or use some other method to conduct the election.

I repeatedly asked the EA what law or rule or whatever gave us that option, and she referred me to the County Chair, who didn’t have an answer.

Perhaps you could tell me what authorizes the CEC to select how the elections under our control are conducted, and with exactly which elections do we have an option?

Thanks.

David Treibs