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Trump Falsely Claims Dallas County switched to Paper Ballots Amid GOP Hand-Counting debate
A recent social media post by former President Donald Trump claiming “Dallas County, Texas, just went to all PAPER BALLOTS” was swiftly corrected by local officials.For years, Dallas County has utilized paper ballots in conjunction with voting machines – a system where voters mark their selections on paper ballots which are then fed into tabulators for counting. The inaccurate statement surfaced as the Dallas County Republican Party continues to weigh a proposal to hand-count ballots in the upcoming March 3 primary election, a plan that has raised concerns about potential delays and logistical challenges.
The proposal, initially discussed in September, centers on hand-counting hand-marked paper ballots on Election Day, excluding early voting. While the party has not finalized the decision, a vote is scheduled for Thursday, according to Allen West, chair of the Dallas County Republican party. Trump’s post drew immediate reaction during a Tuesday meeting of the Commissioners Court, where County Judge Clay Lewis Jenkins clarified that the former president’s message “was incorrect.”
The potential shift to hand-counting, which would apply only to Republican ballots, would necessitate a notable overhaul of the county’s voting system. Currently,Dallas County utilizes a universal voting location system implemented in 2019,allowing voters to cast ballots at any location regardless of their address. Implementing a hand-count would require a return to precinct-based voting centers and an estimated 3,300 additional election workers.
“That will delay the results,” Commissioner elba Garcia stated, highlighting a key concern regarding the feasibility of hand-counting over 49,000 Republican ballots expected on Election Day, given the state’s 24-hour reporting requirement.
West acknowledged the source of Trump’s statement remains unclear, stating he had not spoken with the former president but “appreciated the sentiment.” He described the social media post as “very supportive to the effort.”
Did you know?– dallas County has used paper ballots with voting machines as 2019. Voters mark paper ballots, then machines tabulate the results. This system is not new, despite recent claims.
Hand-counting ballots is a rare practice in the United States, typically limited to jurisdictions with fewer than 1,000 voters. Its resurgence in recent years, including advocacy from Trump, has coincided with unsubstantiated claims of inaccuracies in voting machines. However, experts caution against the practice.
“Hand counting is riddled with errors,” said Mark Lindeman, policy and strategy director of Verified Voting, a nonprofit focused on voting equipment and policy. “It’s even harder when you’re doing it county-wide with hundreds of ballot styles.”
The Republican Party’s exploration of hand-counting stems from expressed distrust in Dallas County’s existing voting machines, as discussed by roughly 200 precinct chairs on September 15. The plan remains contingent on securing adequate funding – possibly capped at $500,000,according to party member Stan woodward – and sufficient staffing.
Logistical hurdles remain. Deputy Elections Administrator Malissa Kouba noted ongoing discussions with the party regarding essential details, such as ballot printing and voter check-in procedures. A formal contract outlining these arrangements was anticipated by Thanksgiving but has yet to materialize.
The proposed change has also sparked concern from the Democratic Party. Kardal Coleman, chair of the democratic Party, expressed worry about the potential impact on all voters in the county and the potential financial burden on taxpayers.He emphasized the importance of avoiding any actions that could confuse voters.
“At this point, we should not do anything that confuses the electorate and confuses voters in general, no matter what party you belong to,” Coleman said. “We hope the Republican Party will come to their senses and do the right thing for Dallas.”
Reader question:– Why is hand-counting ballots problematic? Experts say it’s prone to errors, especially in large counties with many ballot variations, and can considerably delay election results.
The debate underscores the ongoing tension between election security concerns and the practical challenges
