Freestone County Election Administrator, Renee McBay, addressed County Commissioners during the regularly scheduled meeting held Wednesday, August 5, 2026, to propose moving from precinct voting to countywide voting, as many other Texas counties are currently doing.

McBay said that she is proposing the change because (1) it’s beneficial to the voters because it will allow them to vote at any polling location instead of having only one location option, (2) the County can adapt to the growth in registered voters if the change is made, (3) the expense of multiple different ballots is not economical, especially for joint elections; countywide would allow for only one ballot, (4) the change could potentially result in more voters actually voting because polling locations would be more convenient, and (5) the change would reduce confusion as to which polling location voters should be voting at.

She also stated that, if made, changes would not take effect prior to the November Primary Election.

There are currently 13 polling locations and McBay proposed closing Donie, Teague Pct 9, and Fairfield Pct 2.

Commissioners Will McSwane (Pct 2) and Clyde Ridge (Pct 4) stated they are against closing any polling locations, as it would interfere with the public’s right to vote.

Pete Harper, Democratic County Chair, stated that he is in favor of moving to countywide voting because there is always a lot of confusion in people knowing where they should be voting. “We shouldn’t close any locations,” he said. “We need to make it easier, not harder, for people to vote. I request that before a change is made, the County Attorney research rules and regulations to make sure the County is compliant.”

Commissioner Ridge said, “We need to wait until after this upcoming election, then research and see what’s best for the poll workers and the voters.”

No action was taken on this agenda item.

Also at this meeting, the following agenda items were approved:
–Budget transfers and amendments
–Bill Pay
–Payroll
–Reports from Tax Assessor, Extension Office, TVFD
–Placing the Burn Ban ON due to dry conditions and an increase in fires recently
–Special Road Use Agreement Bond on CR 241
–Bonds & Education Certificates of County Officials & Employees
–’No Change’ to the Imposition of Optional Fees for Calendar Year 2027 for Texas Department of Motor Vehicles
–Solution Services Agreement between Crown Correctional Telephone and Freestone County Jail
–Replacing of Sick Leave Pool with Employer Paid Short Term Disability Benefit

Following the regular agenda items, Commissioners held a budget review for approximately three hours.

Freestone County Commissioners include Andy Bonner (Pct. 1), Will McSwane (Pct. 2), Richard McGowan (Pct. 3), Clyde Ridge, Jr. (Pct. 4), and Lloyd Lane (County Judge).

Their regularly scheduled meetings are held on the first and third Wednesday of each month in the 2nd-floor courtroom.

Meeting dates and agendas can be found online at www.co.freestone.tx.us/page/freestone.PublicNotices.

You can view their meetings on YouTube at www.youtube.com/channel/UCbIetX9uPjTFiTnXLrHpzfA.