Texas Voting: Dallas County polls open Tuesday, ID rules and wait times explained
Voters in Dallas County must present specific photo identification and can vote at any local center from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
By Matthew Collins ·
Dallas County registered voters can cast ballots at any designated Vote Center within the county boundaries on Tuesday, Nov. 3. Polling locations remain open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., and anyone waiting in line at the 7 p.m. deadline is eligible to vote. The election includes the General and Joint Election, with the state’s highest-profile race featuring Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and State Rep. James Talarico competing for a U.S. Senate seat. Paxton, who has held the Attorney General position since 2014, defeated Sen. John Cornyn in the Republican primary. Talarico, a former middle school teacher and state representative since 2018, won the Democratic primary against U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett.
Voters must bring an acceptable form of photo identification to vote in person. The Texas Department of Public Safety accepts a driver’s license, personal ID card, license to carry a handgun, or election ID card. The state also recognizes a U.S. passport, military ID card, or certificate of citizenship or naturalization with a photo. For voters aged 18 to 69, the photo ID must be current or expired for no more than four years. Voters aged 70 and older may use a photo ID that has expired for any length of time, provided the document is otherwise valid. If a voter lacks an acceptable photo ID, they may present supporting documents such as a utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck, or birth certificate.
The Dallas County Elections office maintains an online finder tool that lists all voting centers and their addresses. This tool also displays expected wait times at each location. Voters can use the Secretary of State’s “Am I Registered” portal to confirm their status and locate their assigned poll site by entering details such as a driver’s license number or birth information. Sample ballots for Dallas, Tarrant, Collin, and Denton counties are available for download to help voters prepare. The U.S. government allows voters to bring notes or a sample ballot into the polling place, though specific polling location rules may restrict cell phone use.
Specific rules govern conduct and items allowed near the voting station. Voters cannot use cell phones, cameras, tablets, laptops, or sound recorders inside the room where voting occurs. Electronic devices may be used outside the voting room, provided they are not being used to record sound or images. No recording is permitted within 100 feet of a voting station. Political clothing or items related to a candidate, measure, or party are prohibited within 100 feet of the polling station. Voters may be asked to remove or cover such items before entering the building. Only peace officers, whether on or off duty, may bring a handgun into a polling location. Children under 18 may accompany a parent who is voting, as allowed by the Texas Election Code.
Voters who encounter issues can call the Secretary of State’s toll-free election hotline at 1-800-252-VOTE or email elections@sos.texas.gov. A formal complaint can be filed using a downloadable form submitted by mail, fax, or email. The information provided comes from the Dallas County Elections website and the Texas Secretary of State’s Office. Local residents should check the county website for the most current list of voting centers and operational details before heading to the polls on election day.
