The Maverick County Elections Department apologized to candidates and voters for the delay in releasing unofficial results of the November 3, 2026, General Election. The apology was made in a public statement from Elections Administrator Marianna Flores Garcia.
The department said the main cause of the delay was ballot tabulation. Some hand-marked paper ballots could not be read by the county's DS450 central counting machine because selections were not fully or correctly filled in. Those ballots needed extra handling under established election procedures, the department said. Reporting times can vary depending on equipment, ballot volume and conditions during tabulation, according to the statement. Poll watchers were present during central counting, the department said.
The statement also addressed how unofficial results were announced. The department said the public was told by 7:00 p.m. on Election Day that results would be shared through a live broadcast, which was meant to organize communication and reduce interruptions and confusion. Flores Garcia thanked election workers for their dedication and long hours.
Final unofficial county results posted later showed Gerardo Jerry Morales winning the Maverick County judge race with 8,352 votes.