Poll Worker Shortage Forces Precinct Mergers in Montgomery County

Montgomery County officials have announced that a shortage of election judges and poll workers has required the consolidation of over a dozen polling precincts in preparation for Tuesday’s primary election, according to the county’s election administrator.

Election Administrator Suzie Harvey has indicated that the current staffing shortage is partially due to precinct chairs, who usually serve as election judges, being ineligible this cycle because they are on the ballot.

Harvey stated that one contributing factor to the shortage is that certain precinct chairs are unable to fulfill their duties while campaigning for office. She stated that she was unaware of the reasons behind the unavailability or reluctance of other residents to work the polls.

Election judges, while not part of the judiciary, play a crucial role in managing operations at polling places. They are responsible for resolving disputes and assisting voters throughout the voting process. The Montgomery County Election Center website states that election judges must be registered voters in Montgomery County.

In the county, there are currently 468,865 registered voters spread across 121 polling precincts. Voting will take place on Tuesday, with polls open from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m.

The following precincts have been combined:

• Precinct 20, formerly at Travis Intermediate School, will vote with Precinct 51 at Central Library, 104 I-45 North, Conroe.
• Precinct 27, formerly at Rivershire Clubhouse, will vote with Precinct 73 at the city of Conroe Dean Towery Service Center, 401 Sgt. Ed Holcomb Boulevard South.
• Precinct 42, formerly at Veterans Memorial Intermediate, will vote with Precinct 55 at Stephen F. Austin Elementary School, 14796 Highway 105 East.
• Precinct 46, formerly at Spring Creek Greenway Nature Center, will vote with Precinct 103 at C.D. York Junior High School, 3515 Waterbend Cove.
• Precinct 69, formerly at Barbara Pierce Bush Elementary School, will vote with Precincts 98 and 108 at KC Event Center, 2655 FM 1488.
• Precinct 79, formerly at Glen Loch Elementary School, will vote with Precinct 45 at Timber Lakes/Timber Ridge Pavilion, 25610 Timber Lakes Drive.
• Precinct 82, formerly at Bens Branch Elementary School, will vote with Precinct 93 at Valley Ranch Elementary School, 21700 Valley Ranch Crossing Drive.
• Precinct 88, formerly at Ann K. Snyder Elementary School, will vote with Precinct 100 at Grand Oaks High School, 4800 Riley Fuzzel Road.
• Precinct 116, formerly at Nichols Sawmill Elementary School, will vote with Precinct 29 at West Montgomery County Community Development Center, 31355 Friendship Drive.
• Precinct 118, formerly at Highlands Elementary School, will vote with Precinct 14 at Robert L. Crippen Elementary School, 18690 Cumberland Boulevard.
• Precinct 119, formerly at Tavola Elementary School, will vote with Precinct 53 at Woodbranch City Hall, 58 A Woodbranch Drive.
• Precinct 121, formerly at First Baptist Church, Groceville, will vote with Precinct 17 at Janet K. Bartlett Elementary School, 11255 Cielo Drive.

Voters are encouraged to confirm their polling location before heading to the polls. More information is available on the Montgomery County Election Center website.