“Didn’t we already vote?” It’s a fair question. Many Dallas County residents went to the polls in March, took time to study the candidates, and made their choices. So when November approaches and they hear that it is time to vote again, they may wonder: What changed? Is this the same election? Does my vote still matter?
The answer, and some of the confusion, can be found in Dallas County’s political history. In 2006, Democrats swept contested countywide races and judicial contests, helping turn the county blue. Jane Hope Hamilton played an integral role in that effort, leading the countywide Democratic campaign. In the years that followed, the Democratic primary often felt like the decisive contest in many local races. When voters expect the Democratic nominee to win in November, it can be easy to think the most consequential choice has already been made.
That perception can linger, even as November presents its own important decisions. The general election is a separate opportunity to decide who will serve, whether or not a voter took part in the primary. This November, Dallas County voters will weigh in on races for governor, the U.S. Senate, and Congress, as well as local offices such as Criminal District Attorney and County Clerk. These races shape decisions at the state, national, and local levels.
After hearing questions from community members, I felt it was important to create a space to talk through the election process. That is why I created Didn’t We Already Vote? Understanding the Primary, the General Election, and Why Every Election Matters as a special community edition of The Work Ahead. The goal is to offer a clear, practical explanation of what the primary decided, what the general election will decide, and why both matter.
On Saturday, October 3rd, at 11:30 a.m., Damarcus Offord and I will host the conversation at River of Life Church – Event Center, 335 S. Parks Drive, in DeSoto. We’ll talk through the questions residents may still have and what to expect as the November election approaches.
The voter registration deadline is October 5th. Early voting runs from October 19th through October 30th, and Election Day is November 3rd. Voters can check their registration and confirm election details at DallasCountyVotes.org.
I hope Didn’t We Already Vote? gives neighbors a welcoming place to bring their questions and leave with a clearer sense of what is ahead in November. I look forward to having that conversation together.
Amber Givens is the Dallas County Criminal District Attorney Democratic Nominee.
