Before you head to the polls, cross these items off your list!
For more about the 2020 Elections, visit CityofSouthlake.com/2020Elections.
Tuesday, November 3 is Election Day. If you’re voting on election day, voting hours are 7 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Don’t forget to bring your photo ID with you to vote. Here’s a list of acceptable forms of photo ID. Remember, when going to the polls, leave your campaign and political clothing and buttons at home. No electioneering is allowed while at the polls.
COVID-19 and Voting at Town Hall
Voting at Town Hall will be a little different this year than previous years. Tarrant County and the City of Southlake are coordinating our efforts to keep voters safe and comply with CDC guidelines. Tarrant County is managing protocols for voter safety while voting such as cleaning machines and the use of hand sanitizer.
Voters are encouraged to wear a mask or face covering while inside Town Hall waiting to vote and while voting. Voters are also required to maintain a physical distance of six feet from people not in their immediate household. Floor markers will be installed to help guide voters while waiting in line. Hand sanitizing stations and masks are available throughout Southlake Town Hall. Town Hall will be thoroughly cleaned each day after voting hours end.
Voting Locations
Voters in Tarrant County can vote anywhere in Tarrant County, including at Southlake Town Hall during early voting or on election day. Find a location to vote near your work or home by viewing the Tarrant County Early Voting Locations List.
For Denton County residents who plan to vote during early voting, view the Denton County Early Voting Locations List. For those who plan to vote on November 3, view the Denton County Election Day Polling Sites.
Early Voting Information
Early voting days and hours are as follows:
Tarrant County
| Dates | Days | Times |
| October 13 - 17 | Tuesday - Saturday | 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. |
| October 19 - 23 | Monday - Friday | 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. |
| October 24 | Saturday | 7 a.m. - 7 p.m. |
| October 25 | Sunday | 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. |
| October 26 - 30 | Monday - Friday | 7 a.m. - 7 p.m. |
Denton County
| Dates | Days | Times |
| October 13 - 17 | Tuesday - Saturday | 7 a.m. - 7 p.m. |
| October 18 | Sunday | 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. |
| October 19 - 24 | Monday - Saturday | 7 a.m. - 7 p.m. |
| October 25 | Sunday | 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. |
| October 26 - 30 | Monday - Friday | 7 a.m. - 7 p.m. |
Mail In Ballots
Visit the Tarrant County Election Board’s website for information about requesting and submitting a mail in ballot for voters in Tarrant County.
Visit the Denton County Election Board’s website for information on requesting and submitting a mail in ballot for voters in Denton County.
Ballot Information
Beginning September 1, Texas House Bill 25 eliminated straight-party voting.
Voters in Tarrant County can view what is on the ballot by viewing the Tarrant County Sample Ballot page and entering their voter information.
Voters in Denton County can view what is on the ballot by viewing the Denton County Sample Ballot page and entering their voter information.
City of Southlake Candidates
View the Southlake City Council candidates for Place 1 and Place 6.
Parking at Town Hall
Parking spaces located on the north side of Southlake Town Hall have been designated as voter parking. Additional parking is available around Town Square and in both parking garages.
Two parking spaces are designated for people with mobility issues for curbside voting accommodations. If you are disabled and in need of voting assistance and would like to select to vote curbside, park in one of the parking spaces off of Grand Avenue notated on the map below and call the phone number on the sign in front of the parking space.
For more information about the 2020 Elections, visit CityofSouthlake.com/2020Elections.
In the next 7-10 days, property tax valuations for Southlake homeowners will arrive by mail from Tarrant and Denton Counties. And because of all the change due to the COVID-19 social distancing orders, there are also adjustments to this year’s Tarrant and Denton County protest processes.
For Denton County homeowners, the appraisal notice will be mailed by April 29. For Tarrant County residents, notices are scheduled to be sent on May 1.
“For FY 2020, the City reduced the tax rate by 3.7 cents for a valuation of $.041 per $100,” said Sharen Jackson, Southlake’s Chief Financial Officer. “Homeowners also need to make sure their 20% homestead exemption is in place and, if applicable, the senior tax freeze, and an over 65/disability exemption of $75,000.”
Exemptions At Work
To apply for your exemptions, follow these simple steps.
CFO Jackson also said that the 20% homestead exemption for an average valued Southlake home ($740k) reduces the taxable value by $148k, an average a savings of $607.
For FY 2020, the tax rate went from $0.447 to $0.41, which results in additional savings of $222 for homeowners. Most of the rate ($.33) supports general city operations. The other portion of ($.08) pays down on debt that the City has issued to build public infrastructures such as roads, sidewalks, and public facilities. The City tax rate constitutes about 15% of the total tax levy in Southlake (depending on the school district).
Protest Information
Because of current social distancing guidelines, each appraisal district will handle protests differently this year. Both appraisal districts are encouraging residents to use their online protest systems and to create a user profile on the appropriate appraisal site.
If you live in Denton County, click here for Denton Central Appraisal District protest procedures. Denton County residents can create their user profile by using their Google, Facebook, or Twitter account. For more information, visit https://www.dentoncad.com/protestfaqs. The deadline to file a protest with Denton County is 30 days after the postmark on your appraisal notice.
The Tarrant Appraisal District has pulled together a news and FAQ page for property owners. They also advise taxpayers who are preparing to protest to activate their TAD.org online account now. The deadline to file a protest with Tarrant County is June 1, 2020, or 30 days from the mail date listed on the notice, whichever is later.
If you have any questions, please call us at (817) 748-8042. If you prefer to contact your appraisal district directly, the numbers are below.
Tarrant County Appraisal District
2500 Handley Ederville Road
Fort Worth, TX 76118
(817) 284-0024
Denton Central Appraisal District
3911 Morse Street
Denton, TX 76202
(940) 349-3800
For more information about the City’s tax rate, please visit www.CityofSouthlake.com/TaxInformation
When it comes to partnerships, Tarrant and Denton Counties have a long history of working with Southlake for the greater good, which is why collaborating on the election process is a win!
Our partnerships helps the City keep costs down by sharing expenses with other municipalities and allow better governance during the election process.
All elections are handled through their respective election administrators, who manage and coordinate the election process with election judges and clerks. They also hire, train and supervise election staff, supply voting equipment, provide office supplies and place state postings.
Another major benefit to the partnerships is that both the City and County staff members share expertise and knowledge about the laws, procedures, practices, documentation and equipment, which allows the policies to be clear and adaptable and priorities consistent across the board. These partnerships also provide an alternative method of service delivery to our citizens by streamlining an efficient election process, whether that be municipal, county, state, federal, school district, general or special elections.
By strategically partnering with agencies and organizations like these, our City can continue to move forward and elevate our community.
