In previous years Collin County residents of Richardson would travel to one location to early vote for City Council and another for Plano ISD and Collin College races. The streamlined process will allow for county-specific stations to be set up at City Hall, creating a one-stop shop for all early voting.
Collin County residents will have to visit both stations if they wish to vote in multiple races. The move will open Richardson City Hall to all Collin County residents, so there may be an uptick in early voter turnout, Nemer said.
Richardson residents in both Dallas and Collin counties are required to vote by precinct on Election Day; however, Nemer said a new polling location has been created for residents of Collin County precincts 78 and 110, an area roughly contained by US 75 to the west, Lookout Drive to the south and the President George Bush Turnpike to the north and east.
Residents in precincts 78 and 110 previously visited two polling locations on Election Day to cast ballots in city and school district elections. This year those voters can cast Election Day ballots in all races at the Richardson Church of the Nazarene, located at the corner of Renner and Jupiter roads. Richardson Fire Station No. 5 will no longer be used as an Election Day voting location, Nemer said.
Below is a timeline of important dates leading up to the May 4 election.
- Jan. 14: City of Richardson orders the May 4 election.
- Jan. 16-Feb. 15: Filing period is open for all interested candidates.
- Feb. 18: City holds a drawing for the order of place on ballot.
- April 4: First round of campaign finance reports are due.
- April 22-30: Early voting is held.
- April 23: Last day to request a ballot by mail.
- April 26: Second round of campaign finance reports are due.
- May 4: Election day
- May 13: City will canvas election results and administer the oath of office.
- May 13: A runoff election is ordered, if needed.
- June 8: Runoff election is held, if needed.
- June 17: City will canvas election results and administer the oath of office for runoff election winners, if needed.
