San Antonio, Texas – With the high‑profile November 3 midterm election approaching, Bexar County is rolling out a series of technology upgrades aimed at improving the voting experience for its 2.5 million residents. New voting machines, additional poll pads, upgraded tabulation hardware and a revamped website are now in place, and the county expects smoother lines and faster results.
Equipment upgrades and expanded poll capacity
Since taking office in 2025, Elections Administrator Michele Carew has overseen the purchase of more voting machines and the replacement of aging tabulation equipment. The county added roughly $352,000 worth of ballot printers and $403,500 in curbside carts to assist voters with disabilities. New DS300 tabulators for early voting and DS950 units for mail‑ballot counting were installed, promising faster, more reliable processing.
Carew highlighted that the county will operate about 20 % more poll pads this November, a change made possible in part by a $4 million grant from the Help America Vote Act. While the number of polling locations will not dramatically increase, the additional equipment should reduce wait times, especially at the busiest sites.
Online tools for voters
The county’s new website now includes a wait‑time feature that lets voters check line lengths before heading to the polls. A poll‑worker portal also streamlines communication with election judges and clerks, allowing the office to send texts, emails and assignment notices quickly.
Voter‑registration system transition
One of the most significant changes is the planned move from the state‑run TEAM system to a private voter‑registration platform, VR Systems. The switch was delayed until January due to purchasing procedures and data‑transfer challenges. Carew acknowledged the TEAM system’s backlog last year, which left many voters without registration cards before the March primary, but she emphasized that the private system will provide a more reliable foundation for future elections.
“We’re wanting to build voter confidence, but TEAM has destroyed the voter confidence that’s in place,” Carew said, noting that the current system sometimes fails to reflect ballot receipt and counting accurately.
Polling‑location numbers and legal requirements
Bexar County currently has 301 verified polling locations for the November election. While voting‑rights advocates have argued for 388 sites, Carew explained that state law requires a minimum of 285 locations, which the county is meeting. The county is also exploring additional sites as equipment and staff become available, though finding qualified judges and clerks remains a major obstacle.
Looking ahead
Carew remains optimistic that the incremental improvements will be noticeable to voters this November. “Things are changing, a little bit at a time,” she said, acknowledging that some long‑time election workers are adjusting to new processes.
Overall, the upgrades represent a significant investment in election integrity and voter convenience, positioning Bexar County to handle the upcoming high‑profile Senate and governor races with greater efficiency.
Original reporting: San Antonio Report — read the source article.
