Dallas County polls open 7 a.m. Tuesday for general election
Voters face ID rules and Senate race between Ken Paxton and James Talarico in a day of voting ending at 7 p.m.
By Vikram Harrison ·
Dallas County registered voters head to the polls on Tuesday to cast ballots in the Nov. 3 General and Joint Election. The central contest features Ken Paxton (R) and James Talarico (D) competing for a U.S. Senate seat. Voting hours run from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., with any voter in line at the close of polls allowed to complete the process.
The race pits the incumbent state attorney general against a former state house member. Paxton, who has served as Texas Attorney General since 2014, defeated sitting Senator John Cornyn in the Republican primary. Talarico, a former middle school teacher and Presbyterian seminarian who has served in the Texas House since 2018, won the Democratic primary by defeating U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett.
Voters must present an acceptable form of photo identification to vote in person. Acceptable documents include a Texas driver's license, Texas personal ID card, or license to carry a handgun issued by the Texas Department of Public Safety. A U.S. passport, military ID card, or certificate of citizenship or naturalization with a photo also qualifies.
Those without a primary photo ID can present supporting documents. These include a utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck, or voter registration certificate. A certified domestic birth certificate or a foreign birth document admissible in court also serves as supporting ID.
The validity of the identification depends on the voter's age. Individuals between 18 and 69 years old must present an ID that is current or expired by no more than four years. Voters age 70 and older may use an ID that is expired for any length of time, provided the document is otherwise valid.
Dallas County voters may cast ballots at any Vote Center within the county. The county election office provides a finder tool to locate nearby centers and check expected wait times. Sample ballots for Dallas, Tarrant, Collin, and Denton counties are available for review. Voters can check their registration status instantly through the Secretary of State's online portal using their Texas driver's license number or birth details.
Strict rules govern conduct inside polling locations. No one may wear clothing or items related to a candidate, measure, or political party within 100 feet of the station. Electronic devices are permitted outside the voting room but cannot be used to record sound or images within 100 feet of a voting station. Only peace officers, on or off duty, may bring a handgun into the polling location.
Children under 18 may accompany a parent who is voting. Voters may bring notes or a sample ballot to the polls, though cell phone use is restricted inside the room. Those with questions or problems can call the Secretary of State's toll-free hotline at 1-800-252-VOTE or email elections@sos.texas.gov. A formal complaint form is available for submission by mail, fax, or email.
The election concludes at 7 p.m. on Tuesday. The Dallas County Elections website and the Texas Secretary of State's Office provide the official information for this election day.
