Growth causes county to add precincts

The county’s growth is reflected in the number of people who live within a particular precinct, and some Hays precincts will be redrawn under sections of the state Election Code that require regular examination.

At its meeting last week, the Hays County Commissioners Court approved changes to 11 voting precincts where the number of registered voters is approaching or in excess of 5,000. County Elections Administrator Jennifer Anderson explained that the state Election Code requires commissioners courts to look at voting precincts every odd-numbered year in March and April and adjust them so that the number of registered voters in each precinct is under 5,000.

Precincts 113, 221, 336 and 337 all had registered voter populations of between 4,500 and 5,000. Precincts 120, 127, 129, 224, 228, 443 and 444 all had registered voter populations in excess of 5,000, according to figures from the county. The new configuration creates 19 new election districts, but the highest number of registered voters in any of those districts would be 3,300.

Anderson said that with the creation of the new election districts, “There will be new voter registration cards sent out.”

She also said the county will send out press releases to make sure that voters know these changes have been made. Becerra also requested that the new election district maps be made available online.

Precinct 3 Commissioner Lon Shell asked if there would be any other ramifications besides the addition of 19 polling places with the new election district.

“It would affect the parties in that they would obviously have to have precinct chairs in those locations,” Anderson said.

However, she noted, “If we go to voting centers, this will be irrelevant.”

The county is applying for the state’s countywide voting program, which would allow voters to cast ballots at any open location in the county on Election Day instead of at a particular precinct.