Montgomery County Defends Voting Center Lawsuit

CONROE, TX – Montgomery County Judge Mark Keough has voiced strong opposition to a federal lawsuit challenging the county’s popular county-wide voting center system, warning of significant financial burdens and potential disruptions to upcoming elections. The lawsuit, filed in September 2023 by the Texas Civil Rights Project and several individual voters, targets the system which allows residents to cast their ballots at any designated polling place within the county, rather than being confined to their specific precinct.

Plaintiffs in the case allege that the county-wide voting center approach disproportionately impacts minority voters, advocating for a return to the traditional precinct-based polling system. The lawsuit is pending in federal court in the Southern District of Texas and is understood to invoke provisions of the Voting Rights Act.

Judge Keough, however, views the legal challenge as “unnecessary political meddling” and a component of a broader, nationalized effort by advocacy groups like the TCRP to influence election laws in conservative counties. He is urging the County Attorney’s office to “zealously defend” the county’s current voting system.

The judge highlighted the substantial financial implications of the lawsuit, estimating that defending the county could cost taxpayers “millions of dollars.” He further cautioned that a potential loss would incur “even more significant expenses” to transition back to the old precinct-based system, especially with the 2024 election cycle rapidly approaching.

Keough staunchly defends the current county-wide voting center system, which began as a pilot program in 2018 before being implemented county-wide for the 2020 elections. He argues that the system has demonstrably improved accessibility and convenience for all voters, pointing to an increase in voting locations from 48 under the old model to 58 under the current system.

As evidence of the system’s success, Judge Keough cited increased voter turnout figures. He noted an 11% jump in turnout from the 2018 midterm elections to the 2020 presidential election. Furthermore, he stated that turnout in both the 2020 presidential election and the 2022 midterm elections surpassed those of 2016 and 2018 respectively.

County-wide polling, also known as vote centers, has gained popularity across Texas and other states for its flexibility and ability to streamline election administration. Supporters argue it enhances voter convenience and can reduce lines at polling places, while opponents, like those in the current lawsuit, often raise concerns about potential impacts on specific demographics, voter confusion, or the consolidation of voting locations.

The outcome of the lawsuit could have far-reaching implications for how elections are conducted in Montgomery County and potentially serve as a precedent for other Texas counties utilizing or considering similar voting models. As the legal battle unfolds, local officials are bracing for what promises to be an expensive and closely watched contest over election integrity and accessibility.