by R. J. Morales | TX3DNews
Early voting in Collin County is underway under a new paper-ballot system, marking the first major change to local voting procedures in more than a decade.
The change stems from a June 23 vote by the Collin County Commissioners Court, which unanimously approved about $2.3 million for new voting equipment—including printers, voting booths, laptops, and ballot-on-demand systems—to implement hand-marked paper ballots for in-person voting beginning with the November 2025 election.
County officials said the goal is to increase transparency, security, and voter confidence. “This is about restoring trust and strengthening the integrity of our elections,” County Judge Chris Hill said in the court’s announcement. “Hand-marked paper ballots provide a voter-verifiable record while still benefiting from the accuracy and efficiency of machine tabulation.”
What We Saw at the Polls
At the Lucas polling location, TX3DNews staff participated in early voting and later documented the experience for this report.
Voters begin by checking in with a poll worker, presenting photo ID, and signing a paper verification sheet—similar to those used at a doctor’s office. After check-in, the worker prints a personalized paper ballot.
Voters then proceed to designated stations to mark selections by hand. Phones and electronic devices are not allowed while voting, but sample or “practice” ballots are available for voters who want to mark choices in advance. Each oval must be filled in completely—like a standardized-test answer sheet—to ensure the tabulator reads it correctly.
After completing the ballot, voters walk to a tabulator that scans and records their votes. If the scanner detects any blank or partially filled contests, it alerts the voter and offers the option to return the ballot for correction before final submission.
Ballot Review and System Performance
During early voting at the Lucas site, TX3DNews observed two voters whose ballots were flagged as “incomplete” by the tabulator.
In one case, the voter had apparently missed a contest. A poll worker reviewed the ballot alongside the voter, pointed out the blank race, and it was corrected and resubmitted.
In the second case, the voter said all ovals were filled, but the machine still rejected the ballot. The poll worker examined it closely—reviewing each choice to confirm it was fully shaded—before the scanner accepted it.
Poll workers said the system’s main benefit is accountability: each vote now produces a paper record that can be verified in recounts or audits. They acknowledged, however, that printing, hand-marking, and scanning each ballot makes the process slower than before and that some printers occasionally paused when overheated, according to poll workers.
County election materials confirm that accessibility options—including electronic marking devices for voters with disabilities—are available at all polling sites to ensure every voter can cast a ballot privately and independently, as required by law. Elections Administrator Kaleb Breaux said the department is focused on voter education to ensure residents “can show up and vote with confidence.”
Why the Change
The move aligns Collin County with most Texas counties that now use hand-marked paper ballots for in-person voting. Election experts say paper ballots strengthen security and transparency by providing a verifiable physical record.
Under the new system, voters still deposit their ballots into the county’s existing DS200 tabulators, which scan and count votes electronically. The change affects how ballots are marked, not how they are counted.
Voter Reactions
Poll workers described the process as “smooth but slower.” Some voters said they appreciated having a paper copy of their vote, while others expressed frustration about waiting for ballots to print or re-submitting them after scanner alerts.
One voter commented that older residents might actually prefer the new system, finding it simpler to fill in ovals by hand rather than navigate touchscreens. Another voter said the process was slower but added, “It’s the system we have, so you just work with it.”
Poll workers said they believe the process may improve as staff and voters acclimate to the new system.
Looking Ahead
The Collin County Elections Department plans to continue using the paper-ballot system in upcoming elections, including the 2026 primaries and general election. Officials said they will evaluate voter and poll-worker feedback after this election cycle to identify possible improvements.
For now, local polling sites continue operating smoothly, if at a slower pace. Election staff emphasized accuracy and transparency as the main goals of the change—and the paper record, they said, is now part of how Collin County counts its votes.
Editor’s Note: Based on firsthand voting observations at the Lucas polling site. Early voting runs through October 31, 2025; Election Day is November 4, 2025. For polling details, visit VoteTexas.gov. To see what’s on the Collin County ballot, read TX3DNews’ guide: 17 Amendments on the Ballot: What Collin County Voters Should Know.
Experienced this yesterday.
The previous system used in Collin County also produced “a paper record that can be verified in recounts or audits”. Previously, I would make my selections on the electronic screen and the selection would print on a piece paper. The paper would then be read by a scanner which deposited my paper ballot in its bin. For a recount, the print out of my selections could be hand counted.
As near as I can tell, our county government threw away a better system for a cruddy 1970s fill in the SAT bubble with, at best, no improvement in accuracy or security.