Denton County residents and election workers divided over countywide voting centers; commissioners take no action

DENTON, Texas — More than a dozen residents and election workers urged the Denton County Commissioners Court on July 29 either to adopt countywide voting centers for election day or to preserve the county’s precinct-based system, with speakers sharply divided over convenience, turnout and election integrity. The court heard roughly 17 public commentators but took no formal action on creating voting centers at the meeting.

Proponents said voting centers would let voters cast ballots at any polling site in the county on election day and would reduce the number of people turned away for being at the wrong precinct. “I’m here today to speak in support of county wide election day voting centers,” said Fawn Monroe, a registered Denton County voter and election clerk, adding that neighboring counties already use the system.

Speakers urging change pointed to counts compiled by local election workers showing sizable shares of voters redirected on election day. “On election day 2024 primary runoff, 15% of all voters were turned away at least once,” Monroe said. Jane Scholes, an election worker from Robson Ranch, said the county started counting redirected voters only after local election workers requested it and urged commissioners to publish the data going forward. “Stop messing with the Texans of Denton County on election day. Give us the voting…