Denton County resident urges commissioners to adopt countywide Election Day voting

Stephanie Draper, a Denton County resident and election judge, urged the Denton County Commissioners Court on Nov. 4 to begin the process of adopting countywide voting for Election Day, saying the current system that requires voters to cast ballots only at their assigned precinct polling place leads to lost votes and growing frustration.

"I have turned away people who arrived in cars, people who took time off of work, paid for transportation, showed up eager to vote to find out they were at the wrong location," Draper said during the public comment period, arguing countywide Election Day voting would provide fairer, more flexible access. She said counties across Texas, including Tarrant, Collin, Travis and Dallas, have adopted countywide voting and reported higher participation and shorter lines.

Draper, who said she has served as an election judge, described specific examples — college students without transportation and voters sent to incorrect precinct locations — and said countywide voting would reduce those barriers. She framed the change as a nonpartisan, access-oriented reform: "This isn't a partisan issue. It's a people issue."

The court did not take action on the request during the meeting; Draper's remarks were entered during the public-comment period. Commissioners did not add a hearing or vote on the record at the Nov. 4 session. Any formal consideration to change Election Day voting rules would require court direction to staff and follow-up procedures under Texas election law.