Judge blocks Newton County commissioners from moving election equipment

A Newton County judge has issued a temporary restraining order against the county commission, blocking plans to relocate election equipment and renovate an election room just days before the midterms.

Newton County Circuit Judge Kevin Selby granted the order Tuesday, following legal action by County Clerk Tami Owens, who argued the commission's plans threatened election security and could disrupt voting operations.

The lawsuit names Presiding Commissioner Daniel Swem, District 1 Commissioner Mark Knight and District 2 Commissioner Ron Wallace in their official capacities.

The dispute centers on a former courtroom inside the old Newton County Courthouse that has served as the county's election room for years.

The space is used to store voting equipment and conduct election functions, including ballot tabulation and recounts.

The commissioners notified Owens in an October 21 letter that they intended to convert the election room into a conference room, with completion planned for December 1.

Owens was instructed to select a new location for the election equipment by October 23 or face the possibility of commissioners beginning the relocation process themselves.

The commission also indicated construction could begin immediately.

The timing prompted concerns from Missouri's secretary of state, whose office intervened in an October 22 letter warning that moving election equipment on such short notice could compromise ballots, chain-of-custody procedures, access controls and election-night operations.

The existing election room contains security cameras purchased with federal election-security funding.

In granting the restraining order, the judge determined that moving equipment during an active election could cause immediate and irreparable harm.

The court cited potential disruptions to election operations, compromised ballot security and confusion surrounding the handling and location of election materials.

The judge also warned that such disruptions could undermine public confidence and potentially disenfranchise thousands of Newton County voters.

The order prohibits commissioners and those acting on their behalf from moving election equipment without authorization from the clerk for lawful election administration, beginning construction that interferes with election operations or security, or removing election personnel from the room.

The temporary order is intended to preserve existing election operations while the legal dispute continues.