In Dallas County, election officials are urging voters to consider casting their ballots early ahead of the March 3 primary, warning that Election Day options will be more limited than in recent years. After previously allowing voters to cast ballots anywhere in the county on Election Day, Dallas County is returning to precinct-based voting for the March 3 primary. That means voters will only be able to vote at polling locations near where they live. The setup inside early voting locations will also look different because this is a primary election. “This is going to look quite a bit different. You’re going to go in and you’re going to see two completely different sides. Some locations are actually going to be in different rooms. So, you’re going to have to go to the party you want to vote,” said Nic Solorzano, with the Dallas County Elections Department. At early voting locations, voters will see blue “D” and red “R” placards marking separate check-in areas, separate voting booths and separate tabulators where completed ballots are submitted. “It’s non-joint primaries, it’s two primaries happening in the same location,” Solorzano said of early voting. What remains the same is early voting access. Voters can cast a ballot at any of 73 early voting centers anywhere in Dallas County through Feb. 27. On Election Day, however, voters must report to their assigned precinct. Dallas County Elections has published maps to help voters locate their correct polling place — something many voters have not had to track in recent years. Allen West, with the Dallas County GOP, said returning to precinct-based voting restores what he calls community engagement. “I think it’s important that we get back to that,” West said. “It’s just on Election Day. It’s only in the primary. So, what? Twelve hours? I think we can make this happen.” Solorzano said the county would have preferred to continue with a joint primary on Election Day, but noted that the decision rests with party leadership. “I think we would prefer a joint primary where you could, on Election Day, still go vote anywhere. But it’s their call. It’s the Republican primary. It’s the Democratic primary. The county parties are in control,” Solorzano said. For their part, Dallas Democrats are encouraging voters not to wait until March 3. “Early voting is definitely the way to go this election cycle,” said Kardal Coleman, party chair with Dallas County Democrats. In this election cycle, knowing not only who to vote for but also where to vote will matter to Dallas County voters. Countywide early voting is also available in Tarrant and Collin counties, and voters in those counties can continue voting anywhere in their counties on Election Day. Denton County voters, like those in Dallas County, must vote at their correct precinct on March 3. ...read more read less