Rowlett's only early voting location in jeopardy of closing over safety concerns

Rowlett, Texas - The only early voting location in Rowlett could be forced to close just weeks before voting begins in Dallas County.

Rowlett is expecting a big early voting turnout. But the only place to cast a ballot in person is a small church that is now at risk of losing its certificate of occupancy.

The Rowlett mayor says there's a much better option that was successfully used four years ago.

Rowlett, a city of about 70,000 residents, currently has the county’s sole early voting center for the 2024 election. 

City officials had initially planned to hold early voting for the 2024 presidential election at Freedom Place Church. But they later discovered the site only offers 10 parking spaces — with just one designated for disabled individuals. 

Additionally, the church sits on a busy street, raising safety concerns, particularly for those needing accessible parking.

"If you look at it, it’s such a distinction between the community center that has several hundred spots, plenty of space indoors to cue lines," said Rowlett Mayor Blake Margolis. "And you look over here and think, ‘What are they thinking?’"

The mayor voiced concerns about the location and recommended moving the early voting site to the city’s community center, which served as the polling place during the 2020 presidential election and accommodated more than 22,000 early voters.

According to the mayor, the community center was initially proposed due to its ample parking — with hundreds of available spaces — and the fact that the city could use the venue for free.

Rowlett Community Centre

However, Commissioner John Wiley Price, who represents Rowlett, said the community center was passed over because only one room was offered. Mayor Margolis refuted this, saying the site has three rooms available.

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Rowlett mayor cries foul after early voting site moved to smaller venue

The Rowlett mayor claims his city is getting shortchanged after the Dallas County Elections Department moved their early voting site to a smaller venue. "This is targeting all of Rowlett voters. It will suppress votes."

In a Tuesday meeting, Price defended that change of polling locations.

"The Dallas County Elections Department thoroughly reviewed and surveyed the church, giving it a rating of 97.9 and confirming that it meets the county's strict requirements for voting sites," the commissioner said.

That is based on voter accommodations inside the church. Outside is a different story.

On Monday, the city notified the church that its certification of occupancy was given in error, citing the lack of parking. The church has 10 days to respond.

Many residents have taken notice of the dispute.

"If you noticed, there are 300 parking spots and a lot of seniors and a lot of handicap," said one local resident. "That’s just a form of keeping people from voting, and that’s not right."

While some are upset about the change, local David Trasp is indifferent.

"I can come early or late; it doesn’t matter to me," he said.

Regardless of whether the church complies with the city’s occupancy standards, Margolis still wants the location changed. 

"I just wonder why he is so adamant about making a wrong decision," the mayor said. "You can put these locations side by side in a photo, and you can see what is more sufficient for early voting and what is not."

With early voting starting in three weeks, Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins is concerned about changing the location with short notice. 

"I'm really reluctant to move a polling place 21 days before early votes start for fear that some of the candidates may have already printed materials that say go to this place to vote," he said.

County staff, under Jenkins' direction, are investigating the issue and may call a special meeting to determine the next steps.

Early voting is scheduled to begin Oct. 21.