Smith County board accepts resignation, rejects recension for elections administrator

TYLER, Texas (KLTV) - The Smith County Elections Commission accepted the resignation of Elections Administrator Denise Hernandez this afternoon.

Hernandez submitted a letter of resignation Monday to Smith County Judge Nathaniel Moran. On Tuesday, Ms. Hernandez sent Judge Moran a second letter, asking to rescind her resignation. However, after discussing the issue in executive session, the Smith County Elections Commission decided to accept the resignation and rejected the letter to rescind it.

A woman speaks in defense of Denise Hernandez (middle right) who sits and waits as the Smith... — A woman speaks in defense of Denise Hernandez (middle right) who sits and waits as the Smith County Elections Commission discusses her future. Hernandez tendered her resignation earlier this week, then rescinded the resignation a day later. The commission ultimately decided to reject her recension.(KLTV)

According to the Texas Election Code, Sec. 31.037, “the employment of the county elections administrator may be suspended, with or without pay, or terminated at any time for good and sufficient cause on the four-fifths vote of the County Election Commission and approval of that action by a majority vote of the Commissioners Court.”

The Elections Commission is made up of Smith County Judge Nathaniel Moran, Tax Assessor-Collector Gary Barber, County Clerk Karen Phillips, Democratic Party Chair Michael Tolbert and Republican Party Chair David Stein.

The Smith County Elections Commission also voted to offer Michelle Allcon the position of Interim Smith County Elections Administrator while the county searches to hire for the position permanently.

Allcon serves as Elections Coordinator for Erath County.

Previous reporting:

Smith County elections administrator resigns after 3 months on job