Top Tarrant County Republican leaders want to hand-count ballots in the March primary, a move that would require voters to cast their ballots at the polling location of their choice across the county, rather than using voting machines. The proposal has drawn criticism from both parties, with critics arguing it’s time-consuming, expensive, and less accurate.
The change would be implemented by the Republican executive committee without approval from the Tarrant County Elections Office or Commissioners Court, as partisan primary elections are controlled by the political parties. However, if Republicans change their process, Democrats would be forced to make the switch to precinct-level voting as well, according to a state law aimed at preventing voter disenfranchisement.
The proposal is seen as a response to concerns over election security and the reliability of voting machines. Proponents argue that hand-counting ballots allows for more accurate results and can help prevent electoral manipulation. However, critics point out that this process would require significant resources and infrastructure upgrades.
The change would also come at a cost, with estimates suggesting that around 700 polling locations would be needed to accommodate the new system, compared to nearly 200 in the March 2024 primary election. This would require an increase in staff and volunteers to count ballots, as well as additional funding for equipment and resources.
Many have questioned whether Tarrant County Republicans can implement this change quickly enough before the March election, which is just a few months away. Others argue that hand-counting ballots could lead to inconsistent results and a slower tally of votes.
The Democratic Party has strongly opposed the proposal, with leaders arguing that it would be an inefficient and expensive solution to what they see as unnecessary problems with voting machines. They also point out that this change would tie them to the Republican Party’s election decisions, limiting their ability to make independent choices.
Overall, the debate over hand-counted ballots highlights the complexities and challenges of modern elections in Texas, where partisan politics and election security concerns often intersect.
Source: https://fortworthreport.org/2025/11/19/push-for-hand-counted-votes-in-primaries-by-tarrant-county-gop-draws-backlash