When it comes to administering elections in Conroe, Texas, the responsibility lies with the county election official with authority over election administration or voter registration. This official is tasked with responding to the Secretary of State under Section 31,018 and transferring all records related to voter registration and voting equipment and supplies to the administrator after the elections. The Secretary of State also maintains an information service to answer inquiries from electoral authorities related to the administration of electoral laws or the performance of their duties. If a law provides for the commissioners court, county judge, or other county authority to order an election on a measure by filing a petition requesting the election, the administrator shall perform the functions assigned by law to the county clerk in connection with the filing of the petition, determining its validity, and any other matter prior to the order of the election. The joint election commission is also responsible for receiving and taking action on resignations from the position of joint electoral administrator. Political subdivisions other than the county that sent the notification requesting its creation under Section 31.152 may opt to stop using the joint election administrator to conduct elections for the political subdivision under this subchapter, if approved by the governing body of the political subdivision.
The joint electoral administrator must cooperate with the official in providing information on electoral matters submitted to the governing body and must attend or be represented at meetings of the governing body at which electoral matters are considered. A county election administrator can enter into a contract to provide a training program for judges and election clerks. The joint election commission will provide the joint election administrator with adequate office space and the equipment and operating expenses necessary for the proper functioning of the office. The request for electoral services contracts must be submitted to the secretary of the political subdivision before January 1 of each year in which elections are held. The Secretary of State also organizes an annual forum for election officials from political subdivisions to exchange ideas on how to effectively administer elections, including topics related to cost savings and efficiency.
