Texas primary election early voting: 5 things to know before Tuesday
Texas voters have only a few more days to vote early in the March primary election. Early voting this week is 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, and Election Day is Tuesday, March 1, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
1. Know what to bring
Make sure you’re registered to vote through the Secretary of State’s website.
You should bring one of these seven forms of ID to the polling location:
- Texas driver’s license issued by the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS)
- Texas Election Identification Certificate issued by DPS
- Texas Personal Identification Card issued by DPS
- Texas Handgun License issued by DPS
- United States Military Identification Card containing your photograph
- United States Citizenship Certificate containing your photograph
- United States Passport (book or card)
2. Catch a free ride
With the winter weather threat, you might feel safer catching a ride to the polls instead of driving. Several North Texas transportation agencies are offering Election Day and early voting rides. Here’s how to get a free ride in Dallas-Fort Worth for early voting or Election Day.
Tarrant County
Are you a Tarrant County voter? You’re eligible for a free ride to a voting location for early voting or on Election Day.
Tarrant County voters will be able to ride to the polls at no charge on Trinity Metro’s bus routes, ZIPZONE on-demand rideshare services, ACCESS paratransit, plus Tarrant County Transportation Services (TCTS), Northeast Transportation Services (NETS), and Arlington’s Via and Handitran.
To ride, show your voter registration card or ID and ride for free during early voting through Feb. 25 and on Election Day, March 1.
The county’s Election Transportation Program, a partnership between the Tarrant County Commissioners Court and Tarrant County transportation services, has been offered to voters since November 2019.
“It is crucial that people get out to vote in the primary election, and access to transportation should not be a barrier to getting to polling locations,” said Tarrant County Judge Glen Whitley in a release. “We are pleased to be able to once again offer free rides, including accessible services for the elderly and mobility-impaired, through this partnership.”
“We appreciate this partnership with the Tarrant County Commissioners Court to provide rides for voters,” said Trinity Metro President/CEO Paul J Ballard. “Voting is an essential right, and we are happy to help riders travel to the polls.”
To use Arlington’s Via rideshare service, download Via’s app and enter the address of a voting location within Via’s service area. Or, call 817-784-7382 to schedule a ride by phone. Use the promo code ARNVOTE22S.
To use Trinity Metro ZIPZONE, download the ZIPZONE app and book your ride. ZIPZONE rides will be free for customers who schedule a ride to or from a voting center within the ZIPZONE boundaries.
For ACCESS (817-215-8600), TCTS (817-336-8714), NETS (817-336-8714) or Handitran (817-459-5390), call the provider at least 48 hours ahead of the trip to schedule your free ride to any of the voting locations.
To ask about ZIPZONE, bus or ACCESS rides to your polling place, call Trinity Metro at 817-215-8600.
Other North Texas counties
Need a ride to vote on Election Day? DART is providing free transportation to polling locations on Election Day, Tuesday, March 1.
Ride at no charge on all DART buses, trains, the Dallas Streetcar, GoLink, Paratransit Services and the TRE between EBJ Union Station and CentrePort/DFW Airport Station.
No proof of voter registration is required to ride for free. GoLink riders can use promo code VOTE22 at checkout for a complimentary Adult Local Day Pass in the GoPass app on March 1. Learn more at dart.org/vote.
Riders who need customized trip planning can map out their ride with the “Plan” tool in the free GoPass app, or use the Trip Planner on DART.org. DART Customer Service can also assist at 214-979-1111. If you plan your trip directly in Google Maps, enter the voting location as your destination and choose the Transit option (train icon) to get travel directions using DART.
3. Find a voting location
Voting locations are open 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. on the day of the Texas primary elections. If you are in line by 7 p.m., you will be allowed to vote. Check your county elections website for specific times.
- Collin County Election Information (Plano, Richardson, Carrollton)
- Dallas County (Addison, Carrollton, Cockrell Hill, Dallas, Farmers Branch, Garland, Glenn Heights, Highland Park, Irving, Rowlett, University Park)
- Denton County (Carrollton)
- Ellis County (Glenn Heights). Find your sample ballot here.
- Rockwall County (Rowlett)
Tarrant County has multiple locations for early voting and a list of locations for Election Day. Here’s what’s on your ballot.
4. Find a route
If you live in Tarrant County, this is what route you should take for each voting location.
- Tarrant County College Southeast Campus, 2100 S.E. Parkway — RT 067
- Crouch Event Center in Bicentennial Park, 900 E. Glendale St. — South Tarrant ZIPZONE
- Como Community Center, 4660 Horne St. — RT 051 Horne & Helmick
- Diamond Hill-Jarvis Branch Library, 1300 N.E. 35th St. — RT 012 Long & Lulu
- Griffin-Poly Sub-Courthouse, 3212 Miller Ave. — RT 024 or RT 025 Miller & Berry
- Handley-Meadowbrook Community Center, 6201 Beaty St. — RT 89 Lancaster & Haynie
- James Avenue Service Center, 5001 James Ave. — RT 033 James & Yates
- Southside Community Center, 959 E. Rosedale St. — RT 004 Rosedale & New York
- Southwest Sub-Courthouse, 6551 Granbury Road — RT 051 Granbury & Dan Dancinger
- Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, 1900 W. Boyce Ave. — RT 006 McCart & Seminary, 16 minute walk
- Summerglen Branch Library, 4205 Basswood Blvd. — RT 016 N Beach & Basswood
- Tarrant County College Northwest Campus, 4801 Marine Creek Parkway — RT 45
- Tarrant County College South Campus, 5301 Campus Drive — RT 054
- Tarrant County Elections Center, 2700 Premier St. — RT 054 Sylvania & Ivey, 11 minute walk
- Tarrant County Plaza Building, 201 Burnett St. — RT 046 Belknap & Burnett
- UNT - Health Science Center, 3430 Camp Bowie Blvd. — RT 002 Camp Bowie & Montgomery
- Worth Heights Community Center, 3551 New York Ave. — RT 024 Berry & Evans, 14 minute walk
- The REC of Grapevine, 1175 Municipal Way — TEXRail + 7 minute walk
- Tarrant County College Northeast Campus, 828 W. Harwood Road — RT 023
5. Tips for a safe voting experience
Here are some tips on how to stay safe while voting from DART.
Stay home if you are sick or have been exposed to COVID-19.
Consider voting early so you can avoid crowds and practice social distancing.
Bring your own sanitized pen to sign any forms.
- Wear a face mask while riding and while at the voting location. If you forget your mask, take one from dispensers on trains and buses.
Carry hand sanitizer with you and use it before and after your visit to the voting location, and especially after you use the voting machine. Some agencies also provide hand sanitizer dispensers on board its buses and trains.
- Wash your hands with soap and water as soon as you can after leaving the voting location.
This story was originally published February 22, 2022 at 5:00 PM.
