Longtime County Elections Administrator Announces Retirement

Hays County Elections Administrator Joyce Cowan, who has served the County for more than 30 years, has announced she will retire on December 31, 2016. In a letter to the Hays County Elections Commission, she offered thanks for the support and opportunities the Commission members have given her since she took the reins of an office that was barely a year old in 1985.

“I’ve been thinking about retiring for a while now, and finally decided to take that step,” Cowan said. “I wanted to give the Elections Commission plenty of time to choose a new administrator who can work alongside me for a while to ensure a smooth transition.”

The Elections Commission is composed of the County Judge, County Clerk, County Tax Assessor-Collector and chairs of the local Democrat and Republican parties. The Commission has indicated that it would like to double-fill the position beginning October 1, and appoint the person selected as the new elections administrator effective January 1, 2017. At its May 24 meeting, the Hays County Commissioners Court indicated it would make arrangements in the FY 2017 budget for the three months of double-filling the position.

“We accepted her resignation with regret but understanding,” said County Judge Bert Cobb, M.D., who chairs the Elections Commission. “Joyce has been a valuable asset to the people of Hays County and has done a fantastic job of ensuring that elections have been run efficiently, effectively and fairly. She will leave knowing she made a positive impact on Hays County.”

Cowan, a native of San Marcos and a graduate of San Marcos High School, started her career in banking but became the County’s second Elections Administrator in November 1985 following the 1984 creation of the office. Prior to 1984, elections were administered by the County Clerk’s Office and voter registration was handled by the Tax Assessor-Collector.

“I’ve worked with fabulous people over the years – my staff, Commissioners Court members, Election Commission members and election workers,” Cowan said. “I’ll miss them, but now it’s time to enjoy my hobbies and take time to travel when I choose to and not have to consider what election is in progress or upcoming.”

When Cowan was named administrator, the County was in the midst of a November 1985 Constitutional Amendment election which ultimately saw 1,541 voters (a 5.25 percent turnout). Some 28,000 people were registered then to vote in Hays County; currently there are 112,000. She and one part-time employee staffed the office which now has four full-time employees as well as a part-time employee when needed. The office handles most elections throughout the county including those for school districts, cities, emergency service districts, municipal utility districts and water control improvement districts, many of which have been created over the years since she began her tenure.