San Antonio – In a move designed to protect voter confidence, Bexar County Elections Administrator Michele Carew announced that the county will not publish early‑vote or mail‑in results until every person still waiting in line on Election Night has cast a ballot. The decision, made under the authority of Texas election law, reflects the county’s commitment to ensuring that no voter feels their ballot might be discounted.
Why the delay?
Carew told The Source that releasing numbers too early could create the impression that voters who remain in line do not need to stay and vote. “Our goal is to ensure that every voter in line is able to feel confident and that their ballot can be cast without feeling that it doesn’t count,” she said. “My fear is, if I get the numbers out too early … voters may leave the line and decide that it doesn’t matter.”
What to expect on Election Night
Polls close at 7 p.m. across Texas, but state law permits anyone still in line at that moment to vote. Most Texas counties release early‑vote totals shortly after 7 p.m., adding Election‑Day ballots on a rolling basis. Bexar County will deviate from that norm, waiting until the line clears before posting any figures.
In prior elections, the county has seen voters waiting well past 10 p.m. to cast their ballots. Carew noted that in the March primary, roughly 5,000 people were still in line at 7 p.m. “I don’t ever want it to get past 10 o’clock,” she said. “If it’s just a couple hundred voters, chances are numbers will be out timely, but if it’s several thousand voters, it probably will be at least an hour.”
Infrastructure upgrades aim to shorten lines
Bexar County invested heavily in election technology this year, adding 40 new voting machines and check‑in stations to speed the process. The county also launched a new online tool that shows real‑time wait times, helping voters choose the least‑busy early‑voting site among more than 50 locations.
On Election Day, voters will have access to over 300 polling locations throughout the county. The county encourages residents to use the wait‑time website to find a shorter line and to plan ahead for a smooth voting experience.
Impact on the 2026 ballot
The November 3 ballot is packed with high‑profile races, including the U.S. Senate contest between Republican Ken Paxton and Democrat James Talarico, a Texas governor’s race, and numerous congressional and local contests. By ensuring that every voter who remains in line can cast a ballot before results are released, Bexar County aims to uphold the integrity of these critical contests.
Carew emphasized that the county’s approach is rooted in a respect for the democratic process and a desire to avoid any perception of premature results influencing voter behavior. “We communicate with our polling locations to make a determination,” she said. “If the numbers are still quite large, we will wait until the line clears.”
What voters should do
- Check the county’s wait‑time website before heading to the polls.
- Plan to arrive early, especially if you expect a long line.
- Know that early‑vote and mail‑in totals will be posted after the last voter in line has cast a ballot.
By prioritizing voter confidence over speed, Bexar County hopes to set a responsible example for election administration across Texas.
Original reporting: San Antonio Report — read the source article.
