Voters won’t see Dallas College trustee candidates on their ballot this May.
The community college will now hold its trustee elections in November of odd-numbered years, meaning the next trustees will be voted on in November 2027. The school previously held its elections in May of even-numbered years.
Dallas College’s election date change, which trustees passed unanimously, aligns the college with the state and federal elections held in November. The Dallas City Council similarly voted to move city elections to November of odd-numbered years last year.
The changes in Dallas College and Dallas City Council come after Texas lawmakers passed a law last year that provides an avenue for political subdivisions to move their elections. Supporters say the consolidation is designed to increase participation in elections and reduce recurring expenses.
Dallas College averages about 5% turnout in May elections, Robert Wendland, Dallas College’s general counsel, said at a November board work session. That rate lags behind the average 17% turnout for Houston Community College, which holds its elections in November.
The community college is also poised to save costs with the move to a November date alongside the city of Dallas. Election costs are typically split between participating entities, such as a city, county or school district, in a certain jurisdiction. As more entities participate, the percentage of election costs each body pays shrinks.
“When an election is in May of an even-numbered year, you’re probably going to be the only governmental entity using a voting center, so you’ll be paying the vast majority of that cost,” David de la Fuente, who served on the city’s Charter Review Commission, said at the December board meeting.
Dallas College generally spends $250,000 to $300,000 per trustee district in a May election, de la Fuente said. In May elections, Dallas College typically absorbs 30%-40% of the total election costs because fewer political subdivisions participate, according to Wendland.
Under the move, however, Dallas College will join the cities of Dallas and Mesquite on a November date.
“Those two entities are over 50% of your population, so in most cases, your vote centers will be split three ways, whereas now you’re splitting one or two ways,” de la Fuente said.
Trustees voted 5-2 in a December board meeting to extend current trustees’ terms under the date change. Trustees in Districts 5 and 6, whose terms expire in May 2026, will be extended until November 2027. Trustees in Districts 2, 3 and 4, whose terms expire in May 2028, will be extended until November 2029. Trustees in Districts 1 and 7, whose terms expire in May 2030, will be extended until November 2031.