Dallas County approves last-minute early-voting site changes, adds Frank Crowley jail site

The Dallas County Commissioners Court on Feb. 12 approved two late changes to early-voting locations for the March primary, replacing the Summit with the Pioneer Events Center and adding Frank Crowley as an additional early-voting "5" site primarily serving the inmate population.

The moves came during a special call meeting called to confirm updates to early-voting and election-day polling locations for both the Democratic and Republican parties. Commissioner John Wiley Price presided and led several of the exchanges during the meeting.

Elections office staff told the court they had identified two recommended additions and that the Summit had withdrawn as a site; staff said they had contacted and sent a contract to the Pioneer Events Center as a replacement. "We did just confirm with our office that, yes, they have been contacted and have agreed, and we've sent them a contract," a county elections staff member said.

The court also voted, by voice, to add the Frank Crowley location as a "5" site for the sheriff's department to facilitate voting by eligible inmates. The addition was moved and seconded and carried on an oral "aye" vote; the transcript recorded voice approval but no roll-call tally.

Commissioners and staff discussed several operational challenges tied to the late changes. Commissioner Price said the county needs "about another, 200,000" dollars for security at the sites; elections staff said they would work with Dr. Watkins and begin implementation immediately. Logistics staff warned of pressure on equipment and transportation teams and said some deliveries had to be delayed briefly to ensure correct configuration and distribution of voting equipment.

Elections staff outlined voter-education steps: postcards are being mailed to all county voters, the county website will list current early-voting and election-day locations, and ad buys (radio, TV and streaming) matching the postcard design will begin next week. Staff also said early voting is required to be posted starting 21 days before the election and that early voting will be open for two weeks.

The court reviewed a section of the Texas Election Code that the elections office said requires sheriff approval for early voting at facilities where inmates are present; staff said that approval is needed for eligible inmates to vote during early voting at such facilities. "There is a section of the code that does require the sheriff must approve those individuals who are in the facility to be able to vote," the elections staff member said.

County staff also discussed equipment needs: commissioners asked about televisions used for operations and whether additional bandwidth was required. Logistics staff estimated the cost to expand bandwidth and acquire needed equipment at about $120,000 and said purchasing was expediting deliveries and installations so equipment would be ready before the election.

The court called for public comment; none was offered. After the votes and brief operational updates, the special call meeting was adjourned at about 9:30 a.m.

Next steps noted in the meeting: staff will circulate informational updates to commissioners, finalize contracts with replacement sites, coordinate security funding with Dr. Watkins, and continue logistics work to test and stage equipment before early voting begins.