Political parties reach joint primary agreement to preserve countywide voting

After weeks of unusual delay, Democrats and Republicans in Travis County entered into a joint agreement on Tuesday that will preserve countywide voting and electronic ballots in the March 2024 primary election.

These agreements set the rules by which the Travis County Clerk’s Office administers the primary elections. But the Travis County Republican Party’s push for hand-counting ballots delayed adoption of the agreement this year. That led to a press conference by the Travis County Democratic Party during which its chair, Katie Naranjo, attributed the delay to election denialism within the Republican Party.

The parties reached an agreement Monday evening, and the Travis County Commissioners Court gave its approval Tuesday afternoon.

In a post to social media on Tuesday, the local Democratic party wrote, “Countywide voting is preserved for (early voting) and (election day)! This is a huge victory for workers, voters of color, suburban voters, all voters! Expect changes to the GOP primary with minimal impacts to the Dem primary.”

In statements to KXAN and the Austin American-Statesman, Travis County Republican Party Chair Matt Mackowiak praised “election integrity” and refuted TCDP’s accusations of election denialism.

The provisions that were added to the contract expand Republicans’ ability to audit the election results. The provisions include adding a paper roster to the voting process – pending approval from the Texas secretary of state – and the ability to hand-count mail-in ballots. Republicans must make a decision on hand-counting mail-in ballots no later than Jan. 15. Republicans also have until Dec. 31 to decide whether to hand-count early vote totals.

According to reporting in The Washington Post, the nationwide push by Republicans for hand-counting in lieu of electronic voting machines is rooted in unfounded skepticism about the results of the 2020 presidential election, which Donald Trump lost to Joe Biden.

If Republicans do choose to hand-count early vote totals, the party will need sufficient volunteers, space and equipment in order to complete the task. In that case, it would be able to access the ballots on the morning of election day and legally must complete the count within 36 hours. Additionally, the entire process must be livestreamed.

The agreement stipulates that no Travis County Democratic Party volunteer or staffer may be asked to participate in the Republican effort. Naranjo has repeatedly challenged the Republicans on their ability to fund such an effort.

If Republicans choose to forgo hand counting, the voter-facing process for both parties will look much the same as they did in the last primary. Internal processes within the clerk’s office will change, in particular depending on the secretary of state’s decision.

In addition to the agreement, the Commissioners Court also approved early voting sites on its consent agenda. Early voting begins Tuesday, Feb. 20, and ends Friday, March 1. Seven sites will feature extended hours on the last two days of early voting, including the Flawn Academic Center at the University of Texas, the Lakeway Activity Center and the Pflugerville Independent School District Rock Gym.

The clerk’s office released the following statement Tuesday evening: “After weeks of negotiations between the Travis County Republican Party (TCRP), the Travis County Democratic Party (TCDP), and the Travis County Clerk’s Office, both parties have signed a joint contract for the 2024 March Primary Election. This contract ensures countywide voting for both parties during early vote and on Election Day, electronically-printed ballots, and a nearly-seamless voter experience, with minimal changes. As part of the negotiation, which legally requires both parties to agree in order to enact countywide voting, TCRP has until December 31 to make a final determination as to whether or not Republican ballots cast during early voting will be hand-counted.”

Additionally, Travis County Clerk Dyana Limon-Mercado and Travis County Judge Andy Brown released statements.

“All Travis County residents, no matter their political affiliations or party, deserve access to accurate and fair elections. Despite the delay in finalizing the contract, I am relieved both parties were able to agree to continue the process that most voters have come to be familiar with, of a Joint Primary with countywide voting. This agreement ensures voters can continue to easily access voting at any polling location in the county, without confusion and disruption. I am confident this agreement will ensure a successful election with countywide voting and seamless experience,” Limon-Mercado said.

“I commend the County Clerk for her leadership in negotiating a joint contract for the 2024 March Primary Election, uniting both political parties for the betterment of Travis County. This collaborative effort underscores our commitment to a transparent and just democratic process and serves as a testament to the County Clerk’s dedication to fostering voter access that is convenient, safe and secure,” Brown said.

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