WilCo is calling for more ballot boxes due to high voter turnout

WILLIAMSON COUNTY, Texas – Election Day is a week away from Tuesday, but many Texans are taking advantage of early voting.

Due to a significant increase in voter turnout and a supplier issue, Williamson County has requested additional ballot drop boxes.

“Our residents are excited, they are out and making their voices heard through early voting,” said Williamson County Judge Bill Gravell.

There is no shortage of early voters in Williamson County.

Williamson County's election administrator says there was exceptional voter turnout in the first week of early voting.

According to the Secretary of State's website, early voting turnout in Williamson County was 36% on Sunday, Oct. 27, compared to 29% in the rest of the state.

“We have the second highest voter turnout in the entire state of Texas in the 12 most populous counties,” Judge Gravell said.

Anticipating increased interest in the general election, the Williamson County elections office ordered 305 additional ballot drop boxes in advance of the election.

However, due to supply chain bottlenecks, the voting box supplier was only able to deliver 65 additional boxes, but noted that the remaining shipment would not be delivered until May 2025.

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“We petitioned the court and the court rejected the petition. But our election administrator worked with our election lawyer to develop an alternative ballot box. We presented this to the Secretary of State's office and they agreed to it,” Judge Gravell said.

On why he believes they denied the request: “The judge said your current boxes are not completely full. When your boxes are completely full. Come back and make this request again. “I think the judge ruled that in part because this was an unusual request,” Judge Gravell said.

Judge Gravell says the elections administrator then developed an alternative ballot box.

“They found an alternative ballot box that meets all state laws and requirements and fits the machines. And they will use that for early voting and Election Day,” Judge Gravell said.

Early voters continued to pile up at the Anderson Mill site in Williamson County on Monday. Voters say the process only took a few minutes and the high turnout was encouraging.

“It's very simple. Just go there, show your ID and check it. I was in and out in about 5-10 minutes,” said early voter Paul Baker.

“I’m a Millennial, right? And it's been a long journey to get my generation to vote. And the more turnout we can get, the better I will feel over time,” said another early voter.

Judge Gravell says the county is focused on maintaining a safe election for its voters, including many poll watchers watching the process as it continues.

“The goal is that on election night, once all the ballots are counted, people can look at it from many different angles and everyone can say with confidence: Look, it was done right, it was done.” “It was fair, and it was certainly done with integrity,” Judge Gravell said.