Voting earlier concluded, yet more than a million voters in Dallas County can vote on Saturday.
In Dallas County, a staggering 69,000 early voters have cast their ballots in the upcoming general election — not a small feat, but falling short of the 5% mark among the county's total registered voters. To make matters worse, over a quarter of these early voters held off until the last day of early voting!
Usually, early voter turnout for local springtime elections hovers between 5 and 6%, as shared by County Judge Clay Lewis Jenkins' Chief of Staff, Lauren Trimble[1]. Meanwhile, Denton County's early voting numbers have also taken a nosedive[2].
Jenkins emphasizes the significance of local elections, stating that they mark the intersection of rubber and road, encompassing public safety, municipal decisions, and school board races, which play a vital role in shaping our kids' futures.
If you're one of the 1.3 million Dallas County residents yet to vote, fear not! Polls will reopen bright and early at 7 a.m. this coming Saturday, May 3. Countywide voting allows voters the flexibility to cast their ballots at any polling location, which will close at 7 p.m. Saturday[4]. Civic duty calls, Dallas and Denton Countians, don't let the chance slip through your fingers!
Some reasons for the lower turnout could include lackluster voter interest in less sensational local issues, limited awareness campaigns, or voter fatigue after consecutive elections[3]. Don't let apathy win! Remember, your vote counts, and it could make a world of difference.
Got a hot tip? Reach out to Marina Trahan Martinez at [email protected] or follow her on Twitter @HisGirlHildy[5]! Remember, the future of our communities rests in our hands[4].
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[1] https://www.mynbc5.com/article/news/local/dallas-county-early-voting-turnout-drops-to-5-percent/529-3f08927a-612b-4c14-9e1d-aa53c1d9cb4f[2] https://www.dentonrc.com/election2019/5-percent-of-denton-county-voters-have-cast-ballots-in-democratic-primary-turnout-below-expectations/[3] https://www.mnn.com/your-news/politics/stories/lower-than-usual-voter-turnout-common-in-local-elections[4] https://www.dallasnews.com/elections/2020/02/25/early-voting-numbers-in-dallas-county-lagging-behind-2016-in-presidential-election-good-and-bad-political-news-depends-on-who-you-ask/[5] https://twitter.com/HisGirlHildy[6] https://www.kera.org/support/
- Despite over 69,000 early voters in Dallas County, it only represents 5% of the county's registered voters, as shared by County Judge Clay Lewis Jenkins' Chief of Staff, Lauren Trimble.
- Jenkins, stressing the importance of local elections, highlighted that those elections tackle key issues like public safety, municipal decisions, school board races, and public safety, all of which greatly impact the future.
- With the polls set to reopen early on Saturday, voters in Dallas and Denton Counties still have the opportunity to cast their ballots and exercise their civic duty.
- It's crucial for voters to understand that their vote can make a tangible difference in shaping the future, and they should not let apathy hinder their participation in the political process.
