Dallas County Scrambles to Finalize Primary Election Day Polling Sites

Unresolved precinct locations create logistical challenges ahead of March 3 vote

Published on Feb. 9, 2026

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With just one week until early voting begins for the Texas primary, Dallas County is still working to finalize polling locations for Election Day on March 3. Elections Administrator Paul Adams says the delay from the Democratic and Republican parties in providing their list of polling sites is creating a "very difficult logistical problem" as officials rush to inform voters of late-breaking changes. The county is swapping out some early voting locations and ramping up a $1 million voter education campaign, but concerns remain about potential voter confusion and disenfranchisement due to the precinct-based voting changes pushed by Republicans.

Why it matters

The switch to precinct-based voting on Election Day, after nearly a decade of universal voting locations, is a significant change that has the potential to create confusion and access issues for Dallas County voters. The delay in finalizing polling sites adds an extra layer of complexity and raises concerns about the county's ability to adequately prepare and inform the public in time.

The details

Dallas County is still working with the Democratic and Republican parties to finalize polling locations for the March 3 primary, despite a January 16 deadline set by Elections Administrator Paul Adams. About 12 original locations chosen by the parties have declined to participate, and Adams is still confirming availability of replacement sites identified by the parties. This delay has strained the county's overall election preparations, as officials rush to inform voters of the late-breaking changes.

  • Early voting begins on February 17, 2026.
  • The Dallas County Commissioners Court will vote on Thursday, February 13, 2026 to swap out a handful of early voting locations.

The players

Paul Adams

The Dallas County Elections Administrator who is overseeing the preparations for the primary election.

Theresa Daniel

A Dallas County Commissioner who expressed frustration that the situation has reached this point.

Kardal Coleman

The Chair of the Dallas County Democratic Party, who believes the Republican-pushed changes to precinct-based voting on Election Day are creating "voter suppression" and "chaos".

Allen West

The Chair of the Dallas County Republican Party, who previously said the precinct-based voting change "reduces the opportunity for fraudulent activity".

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What they’re saying

“This is creating a very difficult logistical problem for our office right now.”

— Paul Adams, Dallas County Elections Administrator (The Dallas Morning News)

“We shouldn't be here.”

— Theresa Daniel, Dallas County Commissioner (The Dallas Morning News)

“This isn't confusion – it's voter suppression. Republicans made deliberate choices that created chaos close to Election Day because confusion keeps people from voting.”

— Kardal Coleman, Dallas County Democratic Party Chair (The Dallas Morning News)

“We're doing our best to close the loop on March 3 precincts. Even the early voting locations were being changed until the last minute.”

— Allen West, Dallas County Republican Party Chair (The Dallas Morning News)

What’s next

The Dallas County Commissioners Court will vote on Thursday, February 13, 2026 to finalize the list of early voting locations. Elections Administrator Paul Adams is also working to confirm the availability of replacement polling sites identified by the Democratic and Republican parties for Election Day on March 3.

The takeaway

The delay in finalizing polling locations for the March 3 primary in Dallas County highlights the logistical challenges and potential for voter confusion created by the Republican-backed switch to precinct-based voting. With limited time before early voting begins, election officials are scrambling to prepare and inform the public, raising concerns about the county's ability to ensure a smooth and accessible voting process.