Council delays finalizing May election polling sites to seek a UNT‑area early‑voting location

The Denton City Council postponed a final vote on the city’s May 3, 2025 election polling‑location schedule to give staff time to seek an early‑voting location near the University of North Texas (UNT).

City Secretary Lauren Thoden told council that the city contracts with Denton County Elections to run the election and that Denton County has the final approval authority over polling locations. Staff noted that UNT had only offered limited availability for the early‑voting period this year and that some previously used campus venues are not currently available. Councilmembers urged staff to approach UNT and other campus‑adjacent venues (Wesley, campus event spaces) again and return to the council at its next regular meeting with updated options.

"If we can find a practical early‑voting site in the UNT vicinity that the county will approve, we want to do that," Mayor Pro Tem Meltzer said during floor discussion. Councilmember Beck moved to postpone consideration so staff could pursue additional outreach; the motion passed 4–3. Staff said the election must still be formally called by Feb. 14 under state law and that the council plans to resolve locations at the next scheduled council meeting on Feb. 4. The county elections administrator will provide the final agreement and cost estimate to be returned to the council for contract approval.

The proposed election still lists early‑voting dates (April 22–29) and election day (May 3); the council’s postponement only delayed adoption of the preliminary location list so staff can pursue an early‑voting presence closer to UNT. Councilmembers emphasized the importance of access to voters who rely on campus‑area transit and requested staff keep the city apprised of county approval status.