The Maverick County Elections Department apologized to voters, candidates and the community for delays in releasing unofficial results from the November 3, 2026, general election. The department attributed the delay mainly to problems processing some hand-marked paper ballots.
Elections Administrator Marianna Flores-Garcia said the department's DS450 central counting machine could not properly read some ballots because voting selections were not fully or correctly filled in. According to the department, those ballots needed extra handling under established election procedures, which took more time.
The department said differences in voting equipment, ballot volume and tabulation procedures could affect how quickly neighboring counties report results. It said poll watchers were present during central counting. The department also said the public was notified by 7 p.m. on Election Day that results would be announced through a live broadcast.