7 a.m. to 7 p.m.: Tarrant County Opens Polls for 2026 Senate Race

Polls in Tarrant County will open at 7 a.m. and close at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 3, for the General and Joint Election. The 12-hour window applies to all registered voters in the county who cast ballots at designated Vote Centers. Anyone already in line at the 7 p.m. closing time is permitted to cast a ballot.

The election features a contested race for the U.S. Senate between Ken Paxton (R) and James Talarico (D). Paxton, the current Texas Attorney General, defeated incumbent Sen. John Cornyn in the Republican primary. Talarico, a former middle school teacher and member of the Texas House since 2018, won the Democratic primary against U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett. Tarrant County voters can access sample ballots through the county’s online tools to review other measures on the ballot.

Voters must present an acceptable form of photo identification to cast a ballot in person. The Texas Department of Public Security accepts driver’s licenses, personal ID cards, handgun licenses, and election ID cards. U.S. passports, military IDs with photos, and certificates of citizenship or naturalization with photos are also valid. If a voter does not possess an acceptable photo ID, they may present supporting documents such as a utility bill, bank statement, government check, or certified birth certificate.

The rules for expired identification depend on the voter's age. Individuals aged 18 to 69 must present an ID that is current or expired by no more than four years. Voters aged 70 and older may use photo identification that has expired for any length of time, provided the document otherwise meets state requirements. The Secretary of State’s office provides a toll-free hotline at 1-800-252-VOTE for voters with questions about their registration status or ID eligibility.

Polling locations enforce strict rules regarding electronics and attire. Voters may bring phones, tablets, and laptops into the building but cannot use them in the room where voting occurs. Recording devices are prohibited within 100 feet of a voting station. Voters may bring sample ballots and notes into the polling area. Cell phone use is restricted to areas outside the voting room, where devices may be used as long as they are not recording sound or images.

Political clothing is banned within 100 feet of a polling station. Voters wearing items related to a candidate, measure, or party must remove or cover the item before entering the building. This rule applies to all political apparel, even if the candidate or measure is not on the local ballot. Only peace officers on or off duty may bring handguns into polling locations.

Children under 18 may accompany a parent to the polls in Texas. The Texas Election Code permits minors to be present while a parent votes. Tarrant County registered voters may vote at any Vote Center within the county, rather than being restricted to a single assigned location. The county provides an online finder tool to display voting center addresses and expected wait times. Voters can also verify their registration status and locate their nearest polling place through the Secretary of State’s online portal.