2025-026 May 2025 General Election Polling Locations Follow Up UNT and TWU Date: January 24,2025 Report No. 2025-026
INFORMAL STAFF REPORT
TO MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
SUBJECT:
May 3, 2025 General Election and Special Election Polling Locations specific to the University of
North Texas ("UNT") and Texas Women's University ("TWU").
BACKGROUND:
On Friday January 10, 2025, an ISR was provided to City Council detailing proposed polling
locations for the General Election to be held on Saturday May 3, 2025 to elect members to City
Council Districts 1, 2, 3, and 4. In the ISR, it was requested that Council provide additional
requested locations so staff could take necessary steps to confirm availability in advance of the
January 14, 2025 City Council meeting. No such requests were provided to staff.
City Council then considered an ordinance ordering the General Election at the January 14, 2025
Council meeting. At the time of the presentation, Council voted to postpone the item to February
4, 2025 with a direction that staff inquire about availability of an Early Voting polling location on
the UNT campus, specifically at the Denton Wesley Foundation.
Staff contacted Reverend Marianne Brown-Trigg of the Denton Wesley Foundation regarding the
availability of the facility for Early Voting and Election Day voting. Reverend Brown-Trigg
advised staff that the facility is available for use at a cost of$125.00 per day for the eight (8) days
of early voting and that it is available for Election Day at no charge. Thus, the cost to rent this
location amounts to $1,000.00. The Denton County Elections Administration costs are in addition
to this rental fee.
Staff contacted Denton ISD and Denton County Elections to advise of this polling location request.
DISD responded advising that they are reviewing this polling place but has not committed to share
in the expense of renting and operating this polling location as of the time of this ISR. Denton
County Elections expressed concerns about parking at this location as voters not associated with
the UNT campus reside in the precincts that will likely be assigned to this polling location. Staff
has reached out to UNT to inquire what, if any, accommodations can be made to ensure all voters
have access to the polling locations without concern for parking violations. This communication
is ongoing.
Staff received confirmation from TWU that a portion of the Student Union at Hubbard Hall has
been reserved for Early Voting polling purposes. The polling location is under review for viability
by the Denton County Elections Administration.
The actual number and place of polling locations used during the election will vary depending on
the number of jurisdictions contracting with Denton County Elections Department.Denton County
will make all final determinations regarding polling locations and assign precincts to specific
locations which may result in districts sharing a polling location in some instances.
These proposed polling locations,as well as the polling locations presented in the January 10,2025
ISR,will be presented for approval by City Council at the February 4,2025 City Council meeting.
The deadline to call the May 3, 2025 General Election is February 14, 2025, as such the February
Date: January 24,2025 Report No. 2025-026
4, 2025 Council meeting is the last regularly rescheduled meeting at which the General Election
can timely be called. Please provide any and all questions or requests for additional locations in
advance so staff can properly prepare responses and engage in any necessary communication with
any other potential polling locations in advance of the February 4, 2025, City Council meeting.
STAFF CONTACT:
Lauren Thoden, City Secretary
(940) 349-8309
lauren.thodengcityofdenton.com