One month before the primary runoff, a Texas appeals court has rejected an emergency effort to force the Dallas County elections chief to reinstate precinct-based voting for the May 26 Election Day.

After hearing operational concerns that long ballots slowed voting and printing, commissioners authorized 'block' or compressed ballots for unopposed candidates and directed expanded training and voter prompts to reduce confusion.

Elections staff told commissioners the county has 200,792 voters in 'suspense' status but said those voters can still cast regular ballots after a statement of residence; staff also reported equipment maintenance, 651 ExpressVote repairs and 1,500 rented units arriving for November.

After public comment and a friendly amendment, the court approved an amended list of polling places (including Temple Shalom and added early-voting sites) with one commissioner recorded as opposing Sand Branch and Oak Cliff locations. Community speakers urged adding churches and called for water infrastructure in Sand Branch.

Dallas County elections staff reported preparations for the upcoming runoff are well underway: tabulators and express ballot units are being programmed, poll‑book programming is beginning, and deliveries start in the week before the election. Commissioners pressed for more trained technicians in the field and regional staging to speed equipment deployment.

At a Feb. 12 special call, the Dallas County Commissioners Court approved replacing the Summit with the Pioneer Events Center for early voting and adding Frank Crowley as a sheriff-run '5' early-voting site for inmates, while staff warned of added security and equipment costs.

Elections staff reported an isolated equipment issue at a Glen Heights polling location (possible overheating caused by continuous operation) and said payroll processes have improved after adopting ADP; commissioners discussed the Republican Party's interest in paper ballots for a primary and warned that separate paper-ballot administration would require many more temporary workers and higher costs.

Dallas County elections officials told commissioners they expect voter confusion after political parties reduced the number of election‑day locations and set tight deadlines; the county will pay for early‑voting sites and launch a voter‑education campaign while testing new connectivity equipment for poll pads.

Elections staff told the court the March primary is 77 days away and that contracts from both parties are still being negotiated; commissioners set a Dec. 20 deadline for party contract completion and warned operational problems if parties miss it.

Dallas County officials address payroll issues and upcoming early voting payment timelines.