Galveston County Clerk Dwight D. Sullivan says no voting machine in the county connects to the internet, and every ballot cast produces a paper backup that gets audited after the election.

Sullivan laid out the county's security protocols in a walkthrough with KPRC 2, first reported by Bill Barajas on Monday, Oct. 19, as early voting opened across Galveston County. Four League City sites are accepting ballots through Friday, Oct. 30.

The clerk, who has held the office since 2011, said his office has seen only two cases of someone attempting to vote twice in that span. One appeared to be an honest mistake. The other was flagged and prosecuted.

Two keys, two parties

Physical ballot security starts at the polling place. Sullivan said every voting location uses locked ballot bags and boxes that require two keys to open. A sheriff's deputy holds one key. The election judge holds the other. No box can be opened without both keys present.

Mail-in ballots go through a separate check. A bipartisan ballot board compares signatures on mail-in envelopes. Sullivan said each review table seats one Democrat and one Republican.

24/7 cameras and background checks

Cameras run around the clock at election headquarters. Staff and volunteers wear color-coded vests so livestream observers can tell who is in each room. Sullivan said viewers can distinguish central count members, poll watchers and ballot board members by vest color.

Everyone with access to the state voter database must pass an FBI National Crime Information Center (NCIC) background check, a fingerprint check and a local criminal history check, Sullivan said. Annual cybersecurity training is also required.

Sullivan said ballots are cast on paper, and an electronic scanned copy is saved alongside the paper version. The county conducts random audits required by state law and goes beyond the minimum.

Rumor debunked: initials on ballots

About 30 callers contacted the clerk's office over a rumor that initials printed on a blank ballot could wipe out a voter's choices. Sullivan called that false.

He said Chapter 61 of the Texas Election Code requires the county clerk or the presiding judge at a polling location to initial each ballot. The initials confirm the voter received a secure, blank ballot. "Those initials are not going to wipe out your votes," Sullivan said.

Where and when to vote

Early voting runs through Oct. 30. Hours vary by day, according to the Galveston County Daily News:

  • Monday through Monday, Oct. 19–23: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  • Saturday, Oct. 24: 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
  • Sunday, Oct. 25: 1 p.m. to 7 p.m.
  • Monday, Oct. 26 through Friday, Oct. 30: 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

League City's four early voting sites are the League City Annex at 174 Calder Road, The Crossings at 255 Egret Bay Blvd., the Public Works Operations Center at 1701 W. League City Parkway and Hometown Heroes Park at 1011 E. League City Parkway.

Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 3, with polls open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Voters with questions can contact the Galveston County Clerk's office.