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Court adopts voting‑precinct changes to follow state map; county launches lookup tool and outreach
Summary
To comply with new state legislative maps, the commissioners approved changes to voting precinct boundaries effective Jan. 1 and directed the elections administrator to publish notifications. County IT and elections staff built a public lookup tool to show current and future precinct assignments and launched a communications plan.
Tarrant County commissioners on Oct. 14 approved changes to voting precinct boundaries to align county precincts with recently enacted state legislative maps. The action authorizes the elections administrator to publish written notifications of the approved precinct changes; the court approved the administrative precinct map 5–0.
County staff said the redistricting work follows House Bill 4 and other state mapping requirements and will take effect Jan. 1. Elections and IT staff described a public lookup tool that will allow residents to enter a street address and see their current voting precinct and what it will be after the boundary changes take effect. The tool also produces printable notices that officials can include in mailings and newsletters.
Elections staff outlined an outreach plan that includes posting the lookup tool on county social channels, sharing graphics for use by elected officials and precinct chairs, and distributing information through 2‑1‑1 and community partners. Staff said the goal is to reduce voter confusion as filing periods and upcoming elections approach and to give precinct chairs and voters clear notice of changes.
Several court members criticized the state mapmakers during discussion and said local election staff are spending time correcting state‑drawn lines. The court acknowledged the disruption to neighborhoods that the state map created but said the county must comply and assist voters in navigating the new precinct structure.
IT and elections staff said the lookup site would be published immediately and promoted through social media and traditional outreach. The court also approved a range of technical cleanups that absorb so‑called “zero” precinct slivers into adjacent precincts to ensure every square inch of the county falls under a precinct designation.
The court’s action is administrative and does not change county commissioner districts; it updates precinct boundaries for election administration and voter notification in time for candidate filing and upcoming elections.
