ROCKWALL — This is another in a series of articles designed to provide more information on specific elected or appointed positions in County government.

We have just gone through an extensive process here in Texas of “Redistricting” our political boundaries. And in that process you were able to see the extra special scrutiny that Texas receives from the Federal Government when it comes to election issues.

We are not alone in the attention given in this area. Fourteen other, basically Southern states, are also specially watched by the Feds to make sure all voters have equal voting rights and no citizen is denied that right. This special over watch came about because of past violations in this area by the fifteen states in question. Needless to say, everything that deals with elections is carefully watched and based on very detailed election laws.

Back in the “old days” here in Rockwall County, the responsibility for the election process was split between various elected officials. The Tax Assessor was responsible for voter registration while the actual conduct of the election was under the County Clerk. The County Judge and the Commissioners Court were charged with the overall responsibility for the election process and insuring it was conducted correctly.

Several years ago, as the County continued to grow, the Commissioners Court made the decision to combine the functions of the two elected officials and, following Texas Election Code, created the office of Elections Administrator.

This office is unique in County government. While the Commissioners Court makes the decision and creates the position, the Election Administrator really ends up working for two different groups. A County Election Commission composed of the County Judge, Tax Assessor, County Clerk, and the elected County Chairperson of each elected political party, actually recommends who should be hired for this position of Elections Administrator. They also supervise the Administrator to some degree so that if there is a “good and sufficient cause,” the Commission may make recommendations to the Commissioners Court that the county Elections Administrator be terminated.

The recommendations then go to the Commissioners Court who make the final determination on any action to be taken. The Court also sets the salary of the Administrator, the budget for the office, and the determination of any additional people who may be added to the office.

In addition to the Commissioners Court and the County Election Commission, the Elections Administrator works very closely with the office of the Texas Secretary of State who is responsible for elections in our state. Texas Elections Code is very specific in terms of what can and cannot be done, how it is to be done, and what violations of the code might be.

The Elections Administrator, in addition to being responsible for all County elections, may also contract with political parties and political subdivisions, such as cities, water districts, school districts, to conduct elections for their entities. As an interesting side note, when there is a Primary election for a political party, the County pays for the early voting part of the election, but the political party(s) pays for the actual election on Election Day.

In addition to all of the requirements for the actual elections, the Elections Administrator must also determine where the Precinct Polling places will be located. This doesn’t really sound like a very tough job, BUT the polling place must be in the Precinct AND it must also be approved by the US Department of Justice (DOJ). This oversight by the DOJ is to again insure no citizen is denied their right to vote. Typical polling places include schools, fire stations, churches, and courthouses, but any location that is large enough for the voters to vote and is located in the precinct may be used.

As you would expect, technology is making the administration of the voting process simpler. It used to be that all ballots were hand counted and it was not unusual for the final determination of who won an election not to be made until the wee hours of the following day. Automated counting of both paper and electronic ballots has eliminated that delay. Today as the ballot is cast into either the paper ballot machine or the electronic machine, it is immediately “read” and the total for any person or issue on the ballot is calculated. When the polling place is closed, the election judge then returns the “counter mechanism” to the elections office and it is then automatically tabulated and totaled for the County. These results are then reported to the State and released to the citizens.

A tradition that has been around our County for a long time is going up to the Courthouse or the Elections office on election night and waiting for the results to be released. Now through automation, you can get these results right on your Ipad, phone, or PC in the comfort of your living room or at your table at the restaurant. If interested, please provide your email address to gdenton@rockwallcountytexas.com and tell her you would like to be added to the free automated reporting software the County has instituted in the last election. You will be impressed with the speed in which you get the results of our elections.

Jerry Hogan is the County Judge of Rockwall County. He can be reached at jerryhogan@sbcglobal.net or 214-394-4033.