At a San Patricio County Commissioners Court meeting in Sinton, the county elections administrator described the county's Central Count Station plan and the procedures the office will follow during the current election cycle.

The administrator said the Central Count Station will operate at the Election Administration Building, 410 West Market Street in Sinton, and will be overseen by the county elections administrator as the Central Count Station manager with an appointed tabulation supervisor. “Before any ballots are tabulated, our automatic tabulating equipment undergoes 3 separate logic and accuracy tests, 1 of which is public,” the administrator said, adding that test results are sealed and retained as part of the official election records.

The statement stressed secure chain-of-custody practices: seal verification, equipment identifiers and documented handling of ballots, equipment and electronic media. The administrator described a bipartisan duplicate process for damaged or unreadable ballots and said at least two members from different political parties participate in that review to determine voter intent under the Texas Election Code.

The administrator emphasized the role of the Ballot Board in resolving mail or provisional ballots and said that elections staff do not accept or reject mail ballots: “My staff does not accept or reject a mail ballot. It is done strictly by the Ballot Board.” Authorized poll watchers are permitted to observe Central Count Station activities if they present proper documentation and do not obstruct operations. A licensed peace officer will be present during operation of the Central Count Station, the administrator said.

On timing, the administrator said tabulation cannot legally begin before state-set times: “I would like to state that all of our tabulating equipment is set by the state for 7 p.m. We cannot tabulate at 06:59,” underscoring that unofficial returns are released only after tabulation begins and official totals are reported to the Secretary of State as required.

The administrator closed by noting she has served as San Patricio County elections administrator for 20 years and reaffirmed the office’s stated commitment to transparency and integrity in election operations.

The comments were made during the department-heads section of the Commissioners Court agenda and followed earlier administrative reports.