NAACP Releases Statement Following Primary Election Chaos in Dallas and Williamson Counties, Texas

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 4, 2026

Contact: Chyna Fields, [email protected]

DALLAS - Yesterday's primary election in Texas had a record turnout - more than 2.5 million in early voting and heavy turnout on Election Day. But while the turnout was encouraging, Election Day was marked by real, documented confusion and interference that turned away hundreds of eligible voters, Black voters in particular. The NAACP is conducting a thorough investigation of what occurred and why, and is taking steps to ensure that those responsible are held accountable and that this is not repeated in Texas or anywhere else in upcoming elections.

Regardless, the NAACP calls on the Texas Secretary of State to immediately update and verify the accuracy of the votetexas.gov polling place database, issue public guidance to all county parties about their obligations to voters under state and federal law, and provide a full public accounting of how many voters were turned away on March 3rd and what steps will be taken to prevent a recurrence.

Derrick Johnson, NAACP President and CEO, shared the following reaction:

"What happened in Texas is a warning to the entire nation. Voters who showed up, stood in line, and did everything right were turned away because partisan officials chose conspiracy theories over countywide voting systems that worked without problems for years. Then, when local judges tried to fix the chaos by extending polling hours, the Attorney General and state Supreme Court stepped in to block them - prioritizing procedural technicalities over people's constitutional rights. This is not just a Texas problem. It is a blueprint for voter suppression being tested in real time. The NAACP will fight to ensure these tactics do not spread. We are monitoring closely, and we will use every tool at our disposal to protect the electorate in every state from similar attacks on their right to vote."

Here is what we know so far:

On March 3rd, hundreds of eligible Texas voters were turned away from the polls or forced to cast provisional ballots after state officials failed to update voting information, and partisan interference created mass confusion.

Dallas and Williamson County Republican parties - citing debunked fraud claims - ended a countywide voting system that had worked without issue, forcing residents to vote at assigned precincts and creating separate Democratic and Republican election operations. Despite more than five months' notice, Secretary of State Jane Nelson failed to update the state's votetexas.gov website with new precinct maps, directing some voters to the wrong locations.

When local judges swiftly extended polling hours to accommodate confused voters, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton intervened on procedural grounds, and the Texas Supreme Court blocked the extensions - ordering any votes cast after 7 p.m. separated and potentially uncounted. Voters who stood in line before closing time were turned away or left with provisional ballots and no guarantee their votes would count.

Gary Bledsoe, President of the Texas State Conference of the NAACP, added:

"Yesterday, eligible Texas voters were turned away from the polls - not because of anything they did wrong, but because state officials failed to do their jobs and even some polling place officials prevented persons who were in line well before 7 p.m. from voting. The Texas Secretary of State's website was not updated so that individuals in Dallas County could determine their new voter registration and polling information. And beyond that we know many voters around the State, including in Williamson County, never received their new voter registration cards required after Texas was allowed to go forward with their new redistricting plan by the United States Supreme Court. We raised the issue of their inability to get those registration cards out if we went to a new plan and the State insisted that they could in that litigation, but obviously they could not. And finally we must note that once again Attorney General Paxton circumvents our lower courts and goes to the State Supreme Court to deny voting rights like other rights to Texas citizens. These kinds of tactics are why the NAACP board of directors passed a resolution in New York at our Annual meeting to prepare for such likely instances of voter suppression that we expect to occur in the fall."

Yesterday's confusion was not the voters' fault, but there are steps every voter can take to protect their vote in future elections:

• Vote early. Early voting eliminates virtually all of the Election Day uncertainty around polling locations, lines, and last-minute rule changes. It is the most reliable way to make sure your vote is counted. Check your county's website, call your local election board, or contact your local NAACP for early voting dates, times, and locations well before Election Day.
  

• If you choose to vote on Election Day and are in line before polls close, DO NOT LEAVE. Under Texas law, if you are in line before the polls close, you have the right to cast your ballot. It does not matter how long the line is or how long it takes. Stay in line.
  

• If polls close early or you are turned away, call 866-OUR-VOTE immediately. This is the national, nonpartisan Election Protection hotline. Trained volunteers are standing by to advise you of your rights, document what happened, and connect you with legal help if needed. Do not leave without calling. Your report matters - both for your own situation and for building the legal record that protects future voters. Also contact your local NAACP to report the problem.

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About NAACP

The NAACP advocates, agitates, and litigates for the civil rights due to Black America. Our legacy is built on the foundation of grassroots activism by the biggest civil rights pioneers of the 20th century and is sustained by 21st-century activists. From classrooms and courtrooms to city halls and Congress, our network of members across the country works to secure the social and political power that will end race-based discrimination. That work is rooted in racial equity, civic engagement, and supportive policies and institutions for all marginalized people. We are committed to a world without racism where Black people enjoy equitable opportunities in thriving communities.

NOTE: The Legal Defense Fund - also referred to as the NAACP-LDF - was founded in 1940 as a part of the NAACP, but now operates as a completely separate entity.