City, school elections: Tarrant times, locations & sample ballot for May 2
Voters across Tarrant County head to the polls for municipal and school elections on May 2. Here’s what you need to know about Election Day.
Key issues on the ballot
• $845 million for roads and parks in Fort Worth: Fort Worth needs to borrow a lot of money to fix up roads, build parks and construct an animal shelter, Harrison Mantas reports. The city is asking residents to approve a six-part bond package worth $845 million — the most in the city’s history. Pay raises for the mayor and City Council members are also on the ballot.
• Willow Park council fight: In Parker County, Tanya Babbar reports that three challengers backed by Mayor Teresa Palmer are trying to flip the Willow Park City Council amid a lawsuit from Fort Worth and Aledo over allegations of unlawful annexation tied to a $500 million development. Two incumbents accepted campaign contributions from the developers behind the project.
• Fort Worth City Council, District 10: Business owner Chris Jamieson and former council district director Alicia Ortiz are competing in a special election to replace outgoing District 10 council member Alan Blaylock, Harrison Mantas reports. Both candidates prioritize road improvements in the fast-growing far north Fort Worth area.
• Keller mayor’s race: Three candidates — Mayor Pro Tem Ross McMullin, former council member Tag Green and retired Army Col. Edward Prem — are vying for the Keller mayor’s seat being vacated by Armin Mizani, who is running for a state Senate seat. Fousia Abdullahi reports that taxes, infrastructure and declining school enrollment are central issues.
• Arlington mayor’s race: Arlington voters will choose a new mayor from a field that includes incumbent Jim Ross, developer Steve Cavender, law librarian Hunter Crow and Shaun Mallory, with candidates clashing over a $25 million budget deficit, property tax increases and World Cup preparedness. Emily Holshouser has been covering the race.
• Birdville school bond: The Birdville school district is asking voters to approve a $475.5 million bond package to renovate aging campuses, upgrade technology and improve security. Elizabeth Campbell reports that district trustees have pledged no tax rate increase.
Tarrant County polling times, locations
Polls are open Saturday, May 2, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Voters can cast their ballot at any location.
What to bring to the polls
Here’s what to bring and not bring to the polls when you vote in Tarrant County.
When you get to the polls, have a form of identification handy. Accepted forms of voter ID are:
- Texas driver’s license
- Texas election identification certificate
- Texas personal identification card
- Texas handgun license
- U.S. military identification card containing the person’s photograph
- U.S. citizenship certificate containing the person’s photograph
- U.S. passport (book or card)
- Voters without one of the above forms of identification can submit a reasonable impediment declaration along with an alternative form of identification, such as a utility bill, original paycheck, bank statement, government check or voter registration certificate.
- There are several things not to bring to the polls when you go to vote, according to the Secretary of State’s office.
Voters cannot wear apparel related to a candidate, ballot measure or political party (even if they’re not on the ballot) within 100 feet of a polling place.
Cell phones, cameras, tablets, laptops and audio recorders cannot be used within 100 feet of a voting station. Only licensed peace officers can carry handguns at polling places.
Sample ballot
The summary points above were compiled with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists. The source reporting referenced above was written and edited entirely by journalists.