Why you should vote early in Dallas County for the 2026 primaries

Due to the removal of countywide voting in Dallas County, Primary Election Day will operate differently this year.

In January, Dallas Free Press and the League of Women Voters of Dallas hosted a community event to help minimize confusion around primary election voting. This is a highlight of that conversation.

What is a primary?

A primary is an election political parties use to help determine which candidate will be on the November ballot representing their party.

This election cycle’s most contested races include the Republican and Democratic primaries for U.S Senate, Texas Attorney General, and all 38 congressional seats.

A candidate who gets 50% of the vote will win their party’s nomination and will be on the November ballot r. If no one receives a majority vote, a runoff election will be triggered with the top two candidates to determine the winner.

Texas has an open ballot, meaning registered voters are not required to register with any party and can vote in either primary.

At the polling station, you will be given the option to select Democrat or Republican, and that party’s ballot will be provided.

You can only vote in one party’s primary per election cycle. If the race goes to a runoff election, you must vote for the same party’s ballot that you chose. 

This does not impact your vote or party affiliation in November.

Election Day changes and why early voting will be easier

The major change in this year’s primary election is the elimination of countywide voting in Dallas County on Election Day and the move to precinct-level voting.

This means all Dallas County voters will be required to vote at assigned neighborhood polling places on Election Day, as opposed to the previous ability to vote anywhere in the county.

This only impacts Election Day, not early voting, and only the primary elections, not the November general election.

Because of staffing and space requirements, and each party having separate precinct maps, your Election Day voting location could be different from a neighbor’s across the street, even if you’re voting in the same party primary. Additionally, people in the same household may need to vote in a different location if they’re voting in opposing party primaries.

Above: Screenshots of South Dallas Election Day polling locations for the 2026 primaries. Due to precinct-level voting and different precinct maps by each party, voters may be assigned to different polling locations depending on party and address.

Voting rights advocates, like Elaine Campbell, vice president of voter services for the League of Women Voters of Dallas, are urging people to vote early to avoid these issues altogether.

“We are encouraging everyone to please vote early,” she said. “If you vote early, there will be very, very little confusion.”

Early voting is from Feb 17 to Feb 27. Election Day is March 3.

Why did these changes happen?

Election Day for primary elections is unique from other election types and cycles. In Texas, Election Day for primaries is managed by the political parties, while all other elections, including all early voting, are managed by county officials.

Under state law, for a county to offer countywide polling places on Election Day for primaries, both parties must agree to use them. 

In January, Dallas County Republicans opted out of countywide voting, meaning Dallas County Democrats can’t offer it either.

Republicans in support of the changes say precinct-level voting makes elections more secure, preventing double voting. However, there has been no evidence to show this happens, as election officials have procedures to prevent it.

Democratic critics of the change say countywide voting is secure, and that the move to precinct voting locations increases the demand for staff and equipment. They also say voters could show up at the wrong polling location on Election Day and be discouraged from voting.

Mail-in ballots are different, too

Another change impacting voters is the U.S. Postal Service changing how they define “postmarked” mail.

Postmarked mail no longer means the day the mail is received by the post office, but instead when it’s processed by the post office, which may not be the same day. 

Campbell said it’s important to send mail-in ballots early or request a manual postmark at the post office from a postal worker.

Important Election Dates

• Early Voting– Tuesday, Feb. 17 to Friday, Feb. 27
• Last Day to Receive Ballot by Mail Application– Friday Feb. 20
• Primary Election Day- Tuesday, March 3
• Mail Ballot Can Be Delivered in Person by 7 PM- Tuesday March 3
• Primary Runoff Election Day (if needed)- Tuesday, May 26

Want to learn more? Check out Dallas Free Press’ Voter Guide to find a voting location, see your sample ballot and more.