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Elections office begins precinct‑planning work as redistricting court case remains unresolved
Summary
Elections staff told the court they are preparing both 'A' and 'B' plans for March primary precinct locations tied to ongoing redistricting litigation; officials said analysis of precinct impacts and voting‑location assignments is underway but not complete.
Dallas County elections officials told the Commissioners Court on Oct. 7 they are running analyses to determine how redistricting litigation could affect precinct lines and voting locations ahead of the March primary, and that contingency planning is underway so the office can adapt quickly to a court decision.
Why it matters: The court‑ordered or legislative redistricting outcome will determine precinct boundaries used for in‑precinct voting and the equipment and staffing required for the March election. Election planners said they need time to reassign locations, confirm sites and ensure sufficient voting machines.
Elections staff (identified in the meeting as Tacoma and GIS staff) said they are preparing both a fallback and a primary plan. “So we're currently working on that analysis. I would say the direct answer to that question right now is no. No. But we're getting it,” Tacoma told the court when asked whether precinct‑level voting‑location analysis was complete. Staff said they also are reviewing precinct boundaries after the legislature's redistricting and noted the analysis could show a “decent number of precincts” affected by the change.
Commissioners and staff discussed timing and the need for in‑house GIS work, and one commissioner recommended an outside firm to double‑check final precinct assignments after the court process is complete. Elections officials said they believe equipment will not be a constraint for March under either scenario because the GOP proposed paper‑ballot approach would not use county equipment and the county believes it can supply machines for its own precincts.
Ending: Elections staff said they will continue the mapping and precinct‑location analysis and prepare contingency plans so voting locations can be reassigned rapidly if the court alters the legislative map.
