Reporting By Gary Norman & Photos By Amy Meyer / Mineral Wells Area News
The Palo Pinto County Republican Party’s County Executive Committee (CEC) met Sept. 9 at its Mineral Wells headquarters to consider a resolution that would require the hand-counting of ballots and end countywide voting in the March 2026 GOP primary.
The meeting was abruptly ended when the resolution’s backers realized they did not have the votes to advance it.
The CEC, which includes the county chair and all elected precinct chairs, governs the Republican Party’s activities at the county level.
Opening Presentations
Chairwoman Barbara Upham opened the meeting and appointed Rules Committee Chair Harrison Whitaker as parliamentarian. She also introduced County Clerk Janette Green and attorney Donna Garcia Davidson, who were present to answer legal questions but not engage in policy debate.
The meeting began with Green outlining an updated estimate of $111,284.50 in additional costs to the county if separate primaries and hand-counting were adopted.
That figure, based on new numbers provided by Elections Administrator Laura Watkins earlier in the day, was down from the original $187,000 estimate presented at the county election committee meeting.
Davidson followed Green’s presentation by stressing that any changes must comply with state statute.
Resolution and Debate
The resolution, brought by Precinct 6 Chair Joey Miller and petitioned by 13 precinct chairs, argued electronic voting machines are vulnerable to hacking. It called for:
- the removal of all digital poll pads and tabulators
- a return to precinct-based voting
- hand-marked sequential paper ballots, and
- ballot tabulation by hand count under Texas Election Code Chapter 65.
Miller countered that outside experts suggested costs could be closer to $30,000, with reimbursement possible from the Secretary of State’s office.
Davidson cautioned that while parties may contract with the county to run their elections, they cannot legally prohibit poll books.
“We are Republicans, and we are going to go with what our leader says.” — Precinct 6 Chair Joey Miller, referring to President Donald Trump.
Davidson replied: “I am going by my knowledge of the law and that’s all I can say. My legal advice is not to try to ask the elections office to do something that is not compliant with the statute.”
Procedural Rulings
Whitaker ruled much of the resolution out of order, noting the petition that called the meeting only allowed two agenda items: requiring a hand count for the March 2026 primary and specifying the count method.
Sections dealing with poll pads, precinct voting, contracts, and committees were ruled outside the scope.
Miller read the resolution in full, and debate was limited by vote to two speakers for and two against, with three minutes each.
Miller reiterated concerns about electronic poll books being online, stating, “The manufacturer of the ballot machines used in Palo Pinto County is on record stating all machines are hackable, just his are less hackable.”
Davidson noted a recount of the last primary for the county was performed and officials found no errors in any of the results.
Miller also argued countywide voting makes elections harder to audit: “When you have precinct level voting it’s much easier.”
Divided Vote
Precinct 30 Chair Wayne Johnson moved to divide the resolution into separate sections, beginning with whether to adopt hand ballots.
A standing vote split 11–11, and Upham cast the deciding vote in favor. Miller requested a roll call but was denied; Upham repeated the vote by voice, and the result was the same.
Susan Valliant, the State Republican Executive Committee’s Senate District 10 Committeewoman, argued a resolution in its entirety cannot be ruled out of order. Whitaker countered that only items on the called agenda were valid.
“This is gonna split Palo Pinto County wide open.” — Precinct 7 Chair Tom Sykes.
With support divided and momentum fading, Miller moved to adjourn. The motion carried, and the meeting ended without adoption of the resolution.
Aftermath
Following adjournment, Precinct 9 Chair Ken Karger — who had repeatedly interrupted proceedings — walked to the front of the room and approached Party Chairwoman Barbara Upham shouting. A Mineral Wells police officer quickly escorted him out.
The Republican Party will have a regular meeting of the CEC on Tuesday September 23 at 6pm.
Documents from the meeting can be found here.