A parade of speakers detailed the outcome of the Nov. 7 state constitutional amendment election Tuesday morning for Wood County commissioners.

The election was the first since the county switched to a system that offered voters hand-marked paper ballots.

The speakers were all signed up for the public comment portion of the meeting and were not addressed by commissioners as the matter was not on the agenda.

Jenn Pope said that 40% of voters used an available machine to mark ballots while 60% used the hand-marked ballots.

Three precincts saw 100% use of the hand-marked ballots.

Scott McDonald, election judge for Precincts 2-1 and 2-3 in Mineola, said the people of Wood County should thank commissioners for the change, calling paper ballots easier and faster.

Machines require programming and maintenance and are expensive, he added.

Phyllis Nichols said the data will show overwhelming support for paper ballots and recommended the county buy no more machines.

The machines are required by the state for compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, but any voter could opt to use them.

Several problems were outlined, including machines with the incorrect time, and one having to be replaced.

Nichols recommended requesting a report from the vendor, Hart InterCivic, about equipment failures.

Patricia Simpson and Terrell AronSpeer also spoke.

In other business commissioners approved the Lake Hawkins RV park agreement with Lis and Ryan Eaton and the Lake Holbrook house lease with Cory Rush.

The contract with the Sabine River Authority to host the Lake Fork fishing tournament was approved.

Commissioners cast 1,606 votes for Dan Strickland and 100 votes for Robert Jackson for the Wood County Central Appraisal District board of directors election. Taxing entities vote for the directors for two-year terms.