Polls open Monday morning for early voting in local races across North Texas ahead of the May 6 election.
Early voting is underway for the upcoming May 6 election, which includes a potpourri of nonpartisan city, county, and school district contests.
Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson is running for a second term and faces write-in candidate Kendal Richardson as his only challenger. In Fort Worth, Mayor Mattie Parker faces four opponents but is heavily favored to win a second term. Arlington Mayor Jim Ross is also hoping for a second term and faces newcomer Amy Cearnal.
The Fort Worth City Council expands to 10 districts this year after redistricting, which adds up to two new council members after the May vote.
Voters in Arlington will decide on a $278 million bond for street and park improvements and a new fire and police substation.
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A number of North Texas communities will also consider school board trustee positions.
WHERE CAN I VOTE EARLY?
Registered voters can vote at any early voting location in their county and early voting runs through May 2. Voters are required to present an approved photo identification card.
A directory of early voting locations and hours by county can be found here: Collin County | Dallas County | Denton County | Tarrant County Hours are generally 8 a.m. to 5 a.m. through Friday and from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Monday and Tuesday, May 1-2. Hours can differ by county on Saturday and Sunday.
WHAT IS THE EXPECTED TURNOUT?
Noncompetitive mayoral races combined with municipal elections being non-partisan can lead to a lower expected turnout at the polls, likely in the single digits. With that in mind, if you prefer a quick voting experience, municipal elections in Texas are historically a good place to look.
Matthew Wilson is an associate professor of political science at SMU and says voter turnout for municipal elections is typically among the lowest.
“These really are low-intensity elections this time around,” Wilson said.
Low intensity means likely short or no lines at polling locations when two weeks of early voting begins Monday.
“If we’re going to say that government reflects the will of the people, well, in this case, the people is less than 10% of the actual inhabitants of the city,” Wilson said.
Still, Wilson adds most political eyes are on Austin and ongoing debates in the Texas legislature over school choice and property taxes.
“It’s hard for municipal elections and municipal politics to get much oxygen when all of those disputes are playing out at the state level,” Wilson said.
