A motion by the Williamson County Election Commission to seek the resignation of Election Administrator Rick Barron failed on a 2-3 vote during the Jan. 23 Commissioners Court meeting.

"It was a fair hearing that needed to happen," Barron said after the meeting. "It was probably healthy to hear some things out."

County Clerk Nancy Rister had forwarded the motion to seek Barron's removal.

It was seconded by Bill Fairbrother, Williamson County Republican Party Chairman, who had originally brought his party's request to the commission.

The Election Commission also consisted of Williamson County Judge Dan A. Gattis; Tax Assessor-Collector Deborah Hunt; and Karen Carter, Williamson County Democratic Party Chairwoman, who all voted against the motion.

The motion needed at least four votes to carry, and then the matter would have been sent to Commissioners Court for a decision, where only a majority vote is needed.

During the meeting, Fairbrother said his party brought the resolution forward for multiple reasons, including an Election Day incident where Barron removed an election judge from a polling place.

Rister cited poor training of election workers at polls as among her various reasons for wanting Barron's resignation, as well as the incident in Jarrell where some voters where given the wrong ballot.

"I'm sorry, but I've lost confidence in Rick's ability to do his job," she said.

In defense of Barron, Carter said, training of election workers at polls has improved tremendously.

Many of the problems cited are typical, Hunt said, but that does not mean they do not need to be given some additional attention.

"I've tried to be thoughtful and careful, and I don't believe that there is enough here to terminate Mr. Barron," she said. "I do, however, believe that there are some areas of concern that we need to look at. We need to do better."

Barron was given a chance to comment during the meeting, where he listed some accomplishments during his work as election administrator since 2007.

He also defended his actions and cited his efforts to improve training.