Dallas County, TX – With a packed election calendar ahead, county officials are gearing up for a season of change—both at the polls and behind the scenes. From a November vote on constitutional amendments to a potentially unconventional March primary, 2025 is shaping up to be a year of firsts for local elections.
The November 4th election will feature 70 early voting centers and 443 vote centers across the county. Officials hope to build on civic participation by recruiting more student clerks to help at polling places. While past turnout for this election has hovered around 6–7%, the Elections Department is hoping outreach and easier access will bring more voters to the polls.
Looking ahead to the March primaries, one issue is already drawing attention: the Republican Party’s proposal to hand-count ballots on Election Day. It’s an unusual step—one that would require additional planning and resources.
“Both political parties have the legal authority to participate in the process,” said new Dallas County Elections Administrator Paul Adams. “But with choice comes responsibility,” Adams explained. If the Republican Party moves forward with hand-counting, they’ll be responsible for logistics, training, and reporting results. The Secretary of State’s office has requested that any hand-count ballots be identical to regular ones, so they could be scanned in an emergency if needed.
The Dallas County Elections Department also plans to launch a public awareness campaign to explain how the hand-count process would work and to emphasize that general elections follow different, standardized rules.
Meanwhile, redistricting is reshaping precinct boundaries and polling locations across the county. Election staff say they’ll work to keep voters informed of any changes ahead of Election Day.
The county’s Vote Center Advisory Committee (VCAC)—which hasn’t met since 2023—may reconvene soon to help guide decisions about future polling sites and community recommendations.
In a push for greater transparency, the Elections Department recently rolled out a “Voter List” tool on its website, offering monthly downloads of registered voters. A Community FAQ now provides resources for college students, unhoused residents, and others with unique voting needs.
Officials are also encouraging organizations to submit nonpartisan community events related to voting for inclusion on the county’s website.
As Adams put it, “Our goal is simple—make voting easier, fairer, and more accessible for everyone.”
Collin County Elections: https://www.collincountytx.gov/Elections
Rockwall County Elections: https://www.rockwallvotes.com/
Kaufman County Elections: https://www.kaufmancounty.net/237/Elections
