Staff Reports
Severe storms are causing major disruptions to the primary runoff elections in Texas, particularly in Dallas County, Collin County, and Denton County. The fierce weather has led to power outages, damage to polling stations, and substantial delays as tornadoes threaten the region. Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins issued a disaster declaration due to the severe weather conditions, which have resulted in significant building damage and prolonged power outages. To ensure the safety of election workers, voters, and the community, the Dallas County Elections office is closely monitoring the situation, with some polling locations experiencing indefinite delays.
The runoff elections in the Dallas area, particularly the 32nd Congressional District Republican runoff election, are notably affected by the storms. The race, between former Dallas City Councilman David Blewett and former Arlington City Councilman Darrell Day, will determine the Republican candidate running for the seat of Rep. Colin Allred. The outcome of this race will ultimately impact the upcoming general election in November.
Severe weather in #Texas is disrupting the state’s primary runoff elections as storms batter the region.
At least three counties are experiencing power outages, damage to polling stations, or delays as severe weather and tornadoes threaten the region.https://t.co/EGBJ1az6x9
— Ross O'Keefe (@RossOKeefe2) May 28, 2024
In addition to the congressional race, other state runoff elections for the Texas House and Senate are also being influenced by the severe weather. Denton County, another area experiencing disruptions, saw one of its polling locations, Prestonwood Baptist Church’s Plano Campus, suffer structural damage and power outages, prompting voters to find alternative voting locations.
Despite the challenges posed by the severe weather, the Cook Political Report has rated the seat for Texas State Rep. Julie Johnson as “solid Democratic” in the upcoming general election. Moreover, while the weather may be impacting several counties, it doesn’t appear to be affecting voter turnout in the runoff elections, according to Cooke County Clerk Pam Harrison.
Governor Greg Abbott has urged state residents to prioritize safety and remain vigilant in light of the severe weather, emphasizing the need for voters to consider the weather conditions when making their way to the polls. However, the runoff elections for Texas House Speaker Dade Phelan and Rep. Tony Gonzales are reportedly unaffected by the storms.
