Group seeks paper ballots

By Larry Tucker
editor@wood.cm
Posted 12/1/22

An overflow crowd filled the county courtroom Tuesday morning for a workshop by Wood County commissioners concerning the paper ballot movement. 

The Concerned Citizens of Wood County is seeking for commissioners to implement paper ballot voting as soon as possible.

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Group seeks paper ballots

Posted

An overflow crowd filled the county courtroom Tuesday morning for a workshop by Wood County commissioners concerning the paper ballot movement. 

The Concerned Citizens of Wood County is seeking for commissioners to implement paper ballot voting as soon as possible. The group has gathered 1,700 signatures on a petition supporting paper ballots.

There are over 32,000 registered voters in the county.

The citizens’ group had several speakers make presentations. Republican Party election judges have brought the issue to the forefront.

Scott McDonald, of Mineola, has been involved as a precinct chair and election judge. 

“We are here today to talk about using hand-marked paper ballots in Wood County elections. I believe if we are to be honest with ourselves while looking at our election process and using common sense with the principal goal of holding honest and fair elections…then using the hand-marked paper ballots is the best solution for doing what is right and just,” McDonald said. “A couple of years ago, me and my fellow election workers expressed concern with our electronic voting equipment, and we formed a citizens’ group to advocate concerning the election process in Wood County.”

Air Force veteran Jenn Pope spoke on behalf of the group. “For the last year, the hand-marked paper ballot team has come before the commissioners court to provide data and information regarding hand-marked paper ballots and machine-marked paper ballots. We asked election equipment vendors for their cost of the competing equipment, printing materials and other items necessary for an election,” Pope said. “We did this, not as an attempt to negotiate on behalf of the county, but as a data collection measure. The vendor refused to provide any data. The team has collected positive feedback from our fellow citizens of Wood County.”

Wood County Elections Administrator Laura Wise was given an opportunity to speak over two hours into the meeting.

“First of all, I want it on record that this meeting has not been coordinated with the election office. Everything the paper ballot team has been doing has been without our consent or approval,” Wise said. “I do not appreciate them contacting our vendors and putting them in these awkward situations or presenting you with their expectations. You all have trusted me in my position and I believe that this is my responsibility as your elections administrator.”

The group claims moving to paper ballots will save the county $700,000, but Wise disagreed.

“Going back to paper will not save the county all the money you are being shown. There are costs that will always be there for each and every election. Paper costs alone are going to triple,” Wise added. 

Wood County Democratic Party Chair Judy Traylor expressed her concerns. Those concerns included non-partisanship, voter engagement, respect and empathy and cost effectiveness.  

The group has done extensive background work and brought a plan with a time line including equipment orders, supply orders, training weeks and an equipment test date. They want to set up the process in time for the Nov. 7, 2023 constitutional amendment election ahead of the 2024 presidential election.