Thread by @Lorionafarm

🚨 MAJOR: Texas Secretary of State just issued comprehensive hand count guidance (Advisory 2025-18)

Thank you @TXsecofstate for this detailed roadmap on implementing Chapter 65 hand counting procedures 🙏

KEY TAKEAWAYS THREAD 🧵👇

1️⃣ AUTHORITY CLARIFIED
• Commissioners courts control counting method for general elections
• County executive committees control their own primary elections
• Each authority can choose electronic OR hand count

2️⃣ PRECINCT-BASED VOTING REQUIRED
• Countywide polling places PROHIBITED for hand counts
• Must use voter registration precincts
• If one party hand counts in primary, BOTH parties must use precinct-based voting

3️⃣ CHAPTER 65 IS THE LAW
• Three tally lists mandatory
• One caller + at least two talliers per team
• Periodic comparison to catch discrepancies
• NO authority to use different methods

4️⃣ STRICT DEADLINES
• All counting must finish within 24 HOURS after polls close
• Class B misdemeanor for missing deadline
• Presiding judge must stay entire time (cannot be replaced)

5️⃣ TRANSPARENCY BUILT IN
• Poll watchers can observe entire count
• Cannot reveal results before polls close
• Counting area must be separate from active voting

6️⃣ ACCESSIBLE VOTING REQUIRED
• Must provide ADA equipment at each location
• Applies to both election day & early voting
• Federal law compliance mandatory

Texas Election Code Chapter 65 provides a complete, legally-sound framework for hand counting.

Full Advisory:
sos.state.tx.us/elections/laws…

Thank you Christina Adkins for this advisory.

Looking forward to training videos.

Let's restore our Republican form of local self government!