Bexar County Chooses $2 Million Private Vendor for Voter System

UPDATE: Bexar County has just announced a major shift in its voter registration process, opting for a new private vendor to handle the upcoming 2026 midterm election. In a decisive move made on Tuesday, county commissioners voted to contract with VR Systems for a total of approximately $2 million, after grappling with a fraught state system that failed to meet their needs.

This urgent decision comes in response to a chaotic summer that saw the county’s previous vendor, Votec, collapse, leaving officials scrambling to transition to the free state system, known as TEAM. That transition was marred by a massive backlog of registrations, forcing the county to hire temporary staff just days before early voting began for the state’s November constitutional amendment election.

“The need for a reliable system is critical,” said Michele Carew, Bexar County Elections Administrator. “We’re still facing delays in delivering voter registration cards to the public.” The county has reported a backlog of around 20,000 ballot-by-mail applications, with each application taking up to ten minutes to process.

Despite the pressing issues, Commissioner Grant Moody raised concerns during the meeting, questioning the rush to expedite the vendor selection process so far ahead of the elections. He argued that a cautious approach would ensure the county secures a service that truly meets its needs.

Authorities have revealed that although the VR Systems software will not be operational in time for the upcoming March 3 primary or the May primary runoff, it is set to be implemented by the time voters head to the polls in November. This vendor is already trusted by other major Texas urban centers, including Tarrant and El Paso counties.

The urgency of this transition underscores the critical need for a voter registration system that can effectively manage the influx of applications and provide reliable data reporting. With the 2026 midterm elections approaching, Bexar County officials are now focused on ensuring a smooth process for voters as they prepare for an electoral landscape fraught with challenges.

As the county gears up for this significant change, residents are encouraged to stay informed on the latest developments and to register for the Bexar County Ballot newsletter for ongoing updates on politics and elections in the area. The stakes are high, and the need for a functional voter registration system has never been more urgent.