Wood County officials are struggling to find enough election workers for the Nov. 3 election, prompting commissioners to discuss branch voting locations and staffing during a workshop following Monday’s regular Commissioners Court meeting.
Elections official Laura Wise told commissioners that finding enough people to staff early voting and Election Day locations has become increasingly difficult.
“I know the main thing the commissioners want is that every voter in Wood County be able to cast their vote. Our main problem is getting volunteers to work on the elections from early voting through Nov. 3. With costs going up and volunteer participation down, it’s hard to get people to work,” Wise said.
Wise said election workers are limited in the number of hours they can work each week, adding to the staffing challenge.
“The state has made it clear an election worker can only get 39 and a half hours. Our biggest problem is getting more people to work. Many of our workers are older and we have many who are unable to work the hours anymore. We keep losing workers and not being able to replace what we need,” Wise said.
Election workers are paid $12 per hour.
County Judge Kevin White urged representatives of both political parties who attended the workshop to help recruit workers. He also encouraged members of the public to become election workers and take part in the voting process.
No decision was made on branch voting locations. The matter was tabled and will be addressed at a future meeting.
Before the workshop, commissioners worked through a short regular agenda that included two proclamations.
Commissioners proclaimed Oct. 4-10 as National 4-H Week. Wood County 4-H members and sponsors gave a brief presentation about the organization’s activities and benefits to the community.
The proclamation noted that 4-H is the nation’s largest youth development organization, serving about 6 million young people nationwide. This year’s national theme is “Beyond Ready,” focusing on preparing young people with skills for the future.
Wood County 4-H reported significant growth during the 2025-26 year, with club membership increasing 53% and total participation, including Clover Kids and volunteers, increasing 67%.
Commissioners also proclaimed October 2026 as Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
Criminal District Attorney Ange Albers, along with Kristi Hunter, Maira Hernandez and Mary Crow, attended the meeting to raise awareness about domestic violence.
“It is important to bring awareness and education about domestic violence because it affects so many lives. If we do not do our part to eradicate it, our children will grow up having seen abuse in the home and they might become abusers,” Albers said.
The Wood County Criminal District Attorney’s Office, in collaboration with the East Texas Crisis Center and other local organizations and agencies, is working to educate the public about domestic violence prevention and resources available to victims.
In other business, commissioners approved a revised resolution authorizing the submission of a continuation grant request for the Wood County Criminal District Victim Services Project for 2027.
Commissioners also approved Meagan Knight’s nomination to the Wood County Child Welfare Board for a term ending Aug. 13, 2029.
She brings a wealth of knowledge with her profession being in psychiatric medical care and a mental health clinician,” Child Welfare Board member Shelly Griffin said in a letter to White.
Commissioners approved several personnel actions. Wacy Warren, a jailer, and Paul Louck, a dispatcher, resigned from the Wood County Sheriff’s Office. Jacolby Arceneaux and Kaiden Bush were hired as full-time jailers.
Jennifer Booth received a salary increase in the Tax Office. Matthew Prather was hired in a transition role in the County Treasurer’s Office, and Ethan Prather was approved for temporary status in the County Clerk’s Office.