Rowlett second early voting location approved by Dallas County commissioners
ROWLETT, Texas - Dallas County commissioners have settled the squabble over an early voting and Election Day voting center in Rowlett.
The Rowlett Community Centre has been the traditional voting location for the city. But this year, county commissioners originally chose Freedom Church as the county's only voting location.
Rowlett Community Centre
"The elections department has in place how they rate these voting centers, and they voted," said Dallas County Commissioner John Wiley Price. "And I see no need for a second voting center in that city."
Rowlett Mayor Blake Margolis argued that the church was too small and did not have ample parking.
The church, through First Liberty Institute attorneys, suggested religious discrimination.
Featured
Rowlett's only early voting location in jeopardy of closing over safety concerns
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.
Last week, a judge ordered the county to create a second voting location.
Margolis was okay with that, but Price was not.
"I think it's a dangerous precedent for us to allow if the cities begin to decide early voting locations," Price said.
Freedom Place Church
Commissioners on Tuesday had to decide between three options for Rowlett voters:
- Designate Rowlett Community Centre as a vote center, which is against what a judge had ordered
- designate Rowlett City Hall Annex as a vote center, replacing Freedom Place Church, and add Rowlett Community Centre
- keep Freedom Place Church and add Rowlett Community Centre
Commissioners voted 4-1 in favor of option three. Price was the lone ‘no vote.’
First Liberty Institute attorney Hiram Sasser said, "We are pleased that Dallas County is sticking by Freedom Place Church, and the more voting locations available to folks, the better. So it seems like a win-win to us."
Price warns it could open Pandora's box over the ballot box.
Get news, weather and so much more on the new FOX LOCAL app.
"What happens when the next city decides that they want a second voting center?" he said.
Adding a second location will add to the total cost to the county for putting on the Election by $20,000-40,000, depending on how much equipment and workers will be assigned to the second location.