TX Supreme Court pauses ruling that extended voting hours in Dallas County
The Texas Supreme Court paused a lower court ruling that would have extended Dallas County voting hours to 9 p.m. on primary election day amid widespread confusion over polling locations. Reports indicated that up to 90% of Dallas voters initially went to the wrong location due to a shift to precinct-specific voting rather than countywide polling sites. Democrats labeled the move as voter suppression and urged an extension of hours, while Republicans argued for tighter precinct controls and greater influence over the primary process. The ruling could delay vote counts and spark litigation as candidates like Jasmine Crockett and james Talarico called for extensions, and Dallas County GOP Chair Allen west defended the new system. The piece also notes ongoing Senate primaries involving John Cornyn, Ken Paxton, and Wesley Hunt, and mentions that party officials did not respond to comment requests.
Texas Supreme Court pauses ruling that extended voting hours in Dallas County
The Texas Supreme Court halted a lower court ruling that ordered polling locations in Dallas to stay open until 9 p.m. as confusion over polling locations affected much of the county on primary election day.
As Texas voters took to the polls on Tuesday to cast their ballots in the state’s hotly watched congressional primaries, up to 90% of voters in Dallas initially went to the wrong voting location, Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins told the Houston Chronicle. The high court’s ruling could delay vote counts and spur litigation over the election’s outcome.
The confusion in the county came after a new rule declared voters in Dallas and Williamson counties could no longer cast their ballots in any county polling location and must instead vote in their specific precincts.
“The Dallas and Williamson County Republican Parties refused to agree to a joint primary election,” Texas Democrats said in a statement. “That decision forced voters out of the countywide voting system they’ve used for over a decade and sent them scrambling to find their assigned precinct. The result? Confusion, long lines, and working people being told they’re at the wrong location with no clear path to cast their ballot.”
The Texas Democratic Party called the incident “voter suppression” and called for an extension of voting hours in the area, along with Democratic primary opponents Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-TX) and state Rep. James Talarico.
The Dallas County Republican Party said earlier Wednesday that the move came as part of its push to have more of a say in the election day process.
“This primary election in Dallas County has been different because the Dallas County GOP Executive Committee voted to have a non-joint primary along with precinct level voting on election day,” Chairman Allen West said. “Republicans should have more control over their primary election process, especially since we do not have closed primaries in Texas.”
West said in the statement, “We should not be afraid or intimidated by leftists when it comes to selecting our November general election team.”
“We are deeply concerned about the reports of voters being turned away from the polls in Dallas and Williamson counties following the GOP’s implementation of precinct-specific voting locations for election day,” Talarico said in a statement. He said his campaign called for a voting hours extension “to ensure all Texans’ voices are heard in this critical election.”
Crockett’s campaign said in a statement that, in addition to calling for an extension, they were “monitoring the situation and working with our local county party to explore all solutions.” Crockett’s current House district spans across the Dallas area.
The voting controversy is throwing a wrench in the primary as both Democrats and Republicans face intense Senate battles.
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As Talarico and Crockett face off in the Democratic primary, Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX), Attorney General Ken Paxton, and Rep. Wesley Hunt (R-TX) are facing off in the Republican primary that is likely to head to a runoff election in May.
The Texas and Dallas County Republican parties did not respond to the Washington Examiner’s requests for comment.
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