Party leaders want to restore precinct voting for May runoff, but Dallas County elections chief says timeline blocks any changes.
By Tracey McManus
Dallas Morning News
https://www.dallasnews.com/
With Dallas County GOP Chair Allen West’s resignation, party leaders still want to overturn his decision to allow countywide voting in the May 26 runoff and reinstate precinct-based voting for all voters. But Dallas County’s elections chief has already said there is not enough time to do that.
After thousands were turned away at polls on March 3 due to confusion tied to precinct-based voting forced by Republicans, West amended the party’s contract with the elections department to let voters cast ballots at any vote center, regardless of address.
West said he did so to protect the party from potential litigation, but the unilateral action was counter to a vote 200 members of his executive committee took last year to use precinct-based voting for the 2026 primary cycle – and set off fury that led to calls for his ouster.
With Dallas County GOP Chair Allen West’s resignation, party leaders still want to overturn his decision to allow countywide voting in the May 26 runoff and reinstate precinct-based voting for all voters. But Dallas County’s elections chief has already said there is not enough time to do that.
After thousands were turned away at polls on March 3 due to confusion tied to precinct-based voting forced by Republicans, West amended the party’s contract with the elections department to let voters cast ballots at any vote center, regardless of address.
West said he did so to protect the party from potential litigation, but the unilateral action was counter to a vote 200 members of his executive committee took last year to use precinct-based voting for the 2026 primary cycle – and set off fury that led to calls for his ouster.
Members of the county Republican Party’s executive committee say the amendment signed by West without their authorization is invalid and precinct-based voting should stand for the runoff for federal, state and local offices.
Precinct Chair Stan Woodward told The Dallas Morning News last week party members “are evaluating all legal options” to require the county to honor the original contract for precinct-based voting. While a party chair signs the agreement, he pointed to Texas election code that states county election officers contract with a county party’s executive committee to perform election services.
“They’re over there operating with essentially an illegal contract,” Woodward said. “That’s why we are looking to have this reversed in any way.”
Dallas County Elections Administrator Paul Adams has said there is not enough time before runoff voting begins to change the contract again.
He said he would be moving forward with the amended contract in hand.
“Our focus remains on ensuring a smooth, secure and accessible election for all Dallas County voters,” Adams said in a statement Thursday.
Election timing
There is some similar precedent on this issue.
In February 2024 Judge Dib Waldrip denied a temporary restraining order sought by members of the Williamson County Republican Party’s executive committee. They alleged the party chair executed an invalid contract after omitting security measures they had requested.
In his order, Waldrip said the court can entertain election disputes “when sufficient time remains to properly resolve the matter both at trial and on appeal, all the while, avoiding interference with an election process.”
He cited a previous Texas Supreme Court conclusion that there was insufficient time to resolve a dispute once an election was underway, and no amount of judiciary expediency would avoid disruption of that process.
Waldrip also noted the U.S. Supreme Court’s finding that “the risk of voter confusion increases as an election draws nearer,” adding his court had “no discretion” to rule against established federal or state precedent.
With just weeks until early voting in the May 26 runoff begins, Adams told county officials earlier this month he contract could not be changed in time.
“What happened in the last election is proof that we do not want any last-minute changes,” Adams said, referring to widespread voter confusion..
Who decides?
One day before West signed the contract amendment with the county, Woodward emailed Adams and said the executive committee did not vote to amend the contract and the current contract remained in place.
“I would caution you not to enter into any amendment to the contract without the express approval of the CEC enacted through a vote by that body,” Woodward wrote, according to the email.
After West signed the amendment, 64 precinct chairs submitted a letter March 29 demanding he reverse the action and resign as chair. West responded with one sentence, saying his decision stood and he would not step down.
One week later, amid the pushback, West announced he arranged for a vote to decide his removal during the executive committee’s regular meeting on Monday. Before that could occur, West submitted his resignation on Wednesday.
Vice Chair Tami Brown Rodriquez issued a statement late Wednesday as acting chair thanking West for his “exemplary leadership, steadfast dedication and unwavering commitment to election integrity and security.”
“His service has played a significant role in advancing the Republican Party in Dallas County to where we stand today,” she said
Dallas County Reporter
Tracey McManus joined The Dallas Morning News in October 2024 and covers Dallas County government. She previously spent nine years as a reporter for the Tampa Bay Times in Florida and five years as a reporter for The Augusta Chronicle in Georgia. Tracey is a 2010 graduate of the University of Florida with degrees in journalism and Spanish.
This story, originally published in The Dallas Morning News, is reprinted as part of a collaborative partnership between The Dallas Morning News and Texas Metro News. The partnership seeks to boost coverage of Dallas’ communities of color, particularly in southern Dallas.
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