4 steps to cast your ballot in the 2026 primary election

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It’s Election Day. Follow these four simple steps to cast your primary ballot:

1. Find your polling location using two pieces of information: Your address, and in which party’s primary you want to cast a ballot. 

Unlike years past, Dallas County voters cannot vote anywhere in the county on primary Election Day. To find your specific location, visit DallasCountyVotes.org, choose between the Republican or Democratic parties, then enter your address. Your polling location will pop up in the right-hand column, along with the address and the specific voting room, such as a school’s library or a church’s fellowship hall. (If you live in South Dallas or West Dallas, we created a visual, printable chart of your polling locations, based on precincts and parties.) 

2. Preview your ballot, and consult voting guides to help you make decisions beforehand.

Simply enter your first and last names plus your birthday on DallasCountyVotes.org to verify that you’re registered. Toggle between the Democratic and Republican sample ballots, depending on the party in which you’ll cast a ballot, and if you need help deciding between candidates or understanding propositions, reference a nonpartisan guide from the League of Women Voters of Dallas, Texas Matters or the Texas Tribune.   

3. Take two things with you: Your photo ID and a paper guide with anything you want to remember at the polls.

A Texas driver’s license is the most common photo ID, and the Secretary of State outlines six others that will allow you to vote. Mobile phones are not allowed in voting booths, so either jot down or print out anything you might need, including our printable voter guides for South Dallas, West Dallas and Dallas County. 

4. Grab a free ride from DART and find help at the polls from a Dallas County Navigator.

DART rail, bus and even GoLink rides are free today. If you find yourself at the wrong polling location, call the voter information hotline at 469.627.VOTE, or locate someone in a green shirt that says “Dallas County Navigator.” Navigators work for the Dallas County Elections Department and support all voters, regardless of political party. 

Keep a few other things in mind as you plan your day:

• You can’t vote for both Democrats and Republicans in a primary election; you have to choose one party or the other. That’s because the purpose of a primary election is to determine which candidates and propositions will be on the general election ballot in November. Texas voters don’t register with a specific party, so it’s up to you how to cast your ballot. And no matter which primary you vote in today, you can vote for whomever you want come November — Republicans, Democrats, or both and other parties, too.
  
• People who live in the same voting precinct may cast ballots at different polling locations today. That’s because Election Day for primaries are run by the parties rather than the county. In January, Dallas County Republicans opted out of countywide voting on Election Day, so Dallas County Democrats couldn’t offer it either. Both parties chose their respective polling places for each precinct, and their choices didn’t always line up. Dallas County Commissioners spent $1 million to educate voters leading up to this primary election, in hopes of dispelling confusion.
  
• No one will know how you vote, but whether you vote is public record. If you received a mountain of mailers this election season, it’s likely because you voted in one party primary or another during past elections. Candidates and parties use those records to campaign directly to voters. But unless you divulge your ballot choices, no one can know which candidate you select, whether you are for or against a proposition, or even whom you ultimately support in the general election. The power of casting a vote isn’t just in the choice you make; it’s also that the powerful will know you are willing to make your voice heard and therefore deserve their listening ear. 

Need anything else? Find our full guide at dallasfreepress.com/vote. See you at the polls!

 Quick links for Election Day

Access all of these resources and more in Dallas Free Press’ voter guide.

• Verify your voter registration
• Find your polling location
• View your sample ballot
• Compare the candidates
• Download your printable voter guide