Another election is upon us. And while the spring election hasn’t received as much attention as last November’s presidential and state Legislative contests, the candidates on the ballot potentially have much more influence on North Texans' day-to-day lives.
Here’s what you need to know about the May 1 election.
How To Vote, When To Vote?
How can you vote by mail?
The last day to apply for a ballot by mail is April 20. Here's how you do that.
To be eligible to vote early by mail in Texas, you must be one of the following:
- 65 years or older
- sick or disabled
- out of the county on election day and during the period for early voting by personal appearance
- confined in jail, but otherwise eligible.
What do you need to vote in person?
VoteTexas.gov has everything you need to know about what to bring to vote in person.
One of seven forms of ID will get you into a voting booth:
- Texas driver's license
- Texas election identification certificate (EIC) issued by the Department of Public Safety
- Texas personal ID card issued by DPS
- Texas handgun license issued by DPS
- U.S. citizenship certificate containing your photograph
- U.S. military ID card containing your photograph
- U.S. passport, book or card
What if you don't have one of the seven acceptable forms of voter ID?
The state lists other forms of identification, like a utility bill or birth certificate, that you can use to vote if you don't "possess an acceptable form of photo identification, and cannot reasonably obtain one."
In addition to presenting that secondary form of ID, you'll also need to fill out a "Reasonable Impediment Declaration" form.
What if you're a voter with special needs?
A person of your choice or an election worker can assist you at the polls — but the person cannot be your employer or someone who represents your employer, or an officer or representative of your union.
If you're physically unable to enter the polling location, you can vote curbside. Send someone into the polling location to request an election worker meet you at the curb. If you're planning on arriving alone, call ahead to your county's elections office.
Where To Vote
Early voting for the May 1 election runs April 19-27.
Collin County
Early voting in Collin County happens from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. April 19-24 and 7 a.m.-7 p.m. April 26-27.
Election Day voting is 7 a.m.-7 p.m. at these locations.
Dallas County
Early voting in Dallas County is from 8 a.m.-5 p.m., April 19-23; 8 a.m.-5 p.m. April 24; 1 p.m.-6 p.m. April 25; and 7 a.m.-7 p.m. April 26-27.
Election Day voting is from 7 a.m.-7 p.m.
Denton County
Early voters in Denton County can head to the polls from 8 a.m.-5p.m. April 19-24; 11 a.m.-4 p.m. on April 25 and 7 a.m.-7p.m April 26-27.
Tarrant County
Tarrant County early voting is open 8 a.m.-5 p.m. April 19-23; 7 a.m.-7 p.m. April 24; 11 a.m.-4 p.m. April 25; 7 a.m.-7 p.m. April 26-27.
Election Day voting is from 7 a.m.-7 p.m. at any voting location.
What's On The ballot?
There's a special election to fill the Congressional seat held by Ron Wright, who died after contracting COVID-19. Arlington, Fort Worth, Plano and several other North Texas cities are electing mayors. There will be quite a few city council shakeups, with all 14 seats in Dallas on the ballot and more possible turnover in Fort Worth than there's been in years. Plus, voters will decide on several referendums and bond initiatives across the region.
Here are the highlights of the major races and initiatives on the ballot across North Texas. Click on each region to learn more.
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