Texas polls open at 7 a.m. with Paxton and Talarico battling for Senate

Polls in Texas open at 7 a.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 3, for the General and Joint Election. Voting concludes at 7 p.m. that same day. The state's election office confirms that anyone in line when the clocks hit 7 p.m. may cast a ballot.

Registered voters in Tarrant County may cast their ballots at any Vote Center within the county. The county provides an online finder tool that displays current addresses and expected wait times for each location. This resource helps voters gauge how long they might stand in line before reaching a voting station.

The election features a competitive race for the U.S. Senate seat in Texas. Ken Paxton, the Republican candidate, faces James Talarico, the Democratic candidate. Paxton has served as Texas Attorney General since 2014 and won the Republican primary by defeating Sen. John Cornyn. Talarico, a former middle school teacher and state representative, secured the Democratic nomination after defeating U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett.

Voters must present an acceptable form of photo identification to vote in person. The Texas Department of Public Safety issues several valid documents, including a driver's license, personal ID card, or license to carry a handgun. U.S. passports and military IDs with photos also qualify. If a voter lacks a primary photo ID, they may present supporting documents such as a utility bill, bank statement, or government check.

The rules for expired identification depend on the voter's age. Individuals between 18 and 69 years old may use an ID that is current or has been expired for 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 is otherwise valid.

Voters can bring notes or sample ballots to the polls, but they cannot use electronic devices in the voting room. Cell phones, cameras, tablets, and sound recorders are restricted to the area outside the voting room. No recording of any kind is permitted within 100 feet of a voting station. Political clothing is also banned within that 100-foot radius, and voters may be asked to remove or cover such items before entering the building.

Children under 18 may accompany a parent who is voting. If voters encounter issues, they can call the Secretary of State's toll-free hotline at 1-800-252-VOTE. They may also email elections@sos.texas.gov or submit a formal complaint form via mail, fax, or email.