Here’s what you need to know before voting in Nov. 5 election in Tarrant County

Nov. 5 is Election Day, and the time has come for Tarrant County voters to weigh in on the presidential race and choose national, state and local representatives. 

Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Election Day. Tarrant County voters may cast their ballots at any of the 300-plus polling locations in the county. Voters can check their registration status, view a sample ballot and find a polling location through the county’s elections website. 

Early voting for the election was Oct. 21-Nov. 1. Of the more than 1.3 million people registered to vote in Tarrant County, 635,162 cast their ballots in-person during the early voting period, according to the county’s elections office. The office reported having received 24,649 mail-in ballots. That amounts to a turnout of approximately 50% of registered voters. 

About 61% of registered voters cast their ballots in-person or by mail during the early voting period in the 2020 presidential election. Gov. Greg Abbott extended the early voting period by six days in 2020, in an effort to prevent large crowds at polling places and stymie the transmission of COVID-19.

Before heading to the polls Nov. 5, here’s everything you need to know.

What to bring

Voters must provide one of the following seven forms of identification, which can be expired up to four years, in order to vote. 

• Texas driver’s license 
• Texas election identification certificate
• Texas personal identification card 
• Texas gun license
• U.S. military identification card with a photograph
• U.S. citizenship certificate with a photograph
• U.S. passport (book or card) 

Those without a valid form of ID can bring alternate forms of ID that show their name and address, such as a bank statement, utility bill or paycheck. 

Voting with disabilities

Polling locations must be accessible to voters with disabilities. Tarrant County uses software to make voting easier for those who are blind or who have limited vision or dexterity. Voters may also cast their ballots curbside if needed, and signs with a phone number to call for curbside assistance must be stationed at every polling location. Polling locations must offer curbside voting rain or shine, according to a Tarrant County Elections administration memo sent to all poll workers last week. 

This pamphlet provides a breakdown of voter rights, and those with questions or concerns can call the Tarrant County Elections office at 817-831-8683. Also, voters can email or call the Fort Worth Report at news@fortworthreport.org and 817-405-9318 to report any voting problems. 

Other important information

Voters are not allowed to use electronic devices such as cell phones within 100 feet of voting stations, according to the Texas Secretary of State. Written notes or printed sample ballots are permitted for reference during voting. 

If you’re in line to vote but haven’t cast your ballot by 7 p.m., stay in line — voters have the right to cast their ballot as long as they’re in line by 7 p.m. 

A list of Tarrant County polling locations can be found here. For a live look at the wait times at each location, visit this link. 

Our previous coverage

If you’re not sure which candidates to support with your vote, the Fort Worth Report’s previous coverage can help. Check out our Election Central and 2024 voter guide for more information. Our stories will be updated with results soon after polls close at 7 p.m. and then later in the evening as more results come in. 

President of the United States: 

• Unlike Texas, Tarrant County expected to be battleground for presidential, Senate races
• Will Tarrant County go for Harris or Trump? Experts, voters say it’s a toss-up

Texas’ 12th Congressional District: 

• Goldman, Hunt seek Granger’s Fort Worth-area US House seat
• Who will replace Granger in Congress? Voters to decide new legislator in Nov. 5 election

Texas’ 33rd Congressional District: 

• Veasey faces rematch on Nov. 5 ballot as he seeks seventh term in Congress
• Veasey expected to hold onto U.S. House seat representing parts of Fort Worth, Arlington

Texas Legislature: 

• Here’s who’s vying to represent Tarrant County in Texas Legislature
• Here’s who is on the ballot to represent Tarrant County in the Texas Legislature

Texas House District 97: 

• With Goldman seeking higher office, who will win race to represent Texas House District 97?

State Board of Education: 

• Voters to decide Fort Worth’s new State Board of Education members
• Voters to decide new Fort Worth-area member for State Board of Education
• A new face will represent North Texas on State Board of Education. Here are her priorities

Tarrant County Sheriff:

• Tarrant voters will choose between incumbent sheriff, Democratic challenger
• Tarrant jail deaths dominate race between incumbent sheriff, Democratic candidate

Tarrant County Commissioners, precincts 1 and 3:

• Tarrant voters to replace longtime county commissioners in Nov. 5 election
• Could Tarrant County commissioner races be competitive in 2024? Redistricting experts weigh in

Tarrant County tax assessor collector:

• Voters will elect new face to Tarrant County tax assessor-collector position

School district tax rate elections: 

• Facing budget deficits, two Tarrant County school districts seek tax rate increases
• Tarrant County school districts urge voters to approve property tax rate bumps

Cecilia Lenzen is a government accountability reporter for the Fort Worth Report. Contact her at cecilia.lenzen@fortworthreport.org or @bycecilialenzen. 

At the Fort Worth Report, news decisions are made independently of our board members and financial supporters. Read more about our editorial independence policy here.