Countywide Voting

Trey Meynig

Updated: 2/11 7:58 pm

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Countywide Voting

With school board and city elections exactly three months away, county leaders are preparing for voters to go to the polls. They thought a countywide voting system, where residents could vote at any polling location, was a good idea but, they've hit some road blocks.

Countywide voting for Victoria County citizens would potentially bring about a more convenient way of voting for some, but for others, it could be a hindrance. It was this main issue and others brought up during a workshop last week between county leaders that ultimately swayed county commissioners to hold off for now, on approving this new voting system. The main issue brought up at is the impact of reducing voting locations from 35 to 23, which most felt would not only cause those in some areas to have to travel long distances to get to their nearest polling station, it would also leave some areas unrepresented, particularly regarding school board elections.

Judge Donald Pozzi said the filings for the city of Victoria and VISD school board elections have already been filed, with voting locations already locked down, and suddenly changing to a countywide system would cause confusion. In addition, Pozzi stated waiting until the outcome of the state legislative session in May would be beneficial in the county making its decision. The issue will be on the county commissioners’ agenda in July, and if approved, would be sent to the department of justice before the august first deadline for approval. If not approved, this issue will not appear on the agenda again until 2015. Since voting changes can only be considered during odd numbered years.