The polling stations are open. Here are the races we're keeping an eye on

Election Day is underway and KERA will be tracking the results of all major elections, including the presidential and Senate races in Texas.

Republican nominee, former President Donald Trump, faces Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris in the presidential race, while incumbent U.S. Senator Ted Cruz (R-Houston) faces a challenge from U.S. Rep. Colin Allred (D-Dallas). There are also numerous local and regional elections on the ballot, including numerous proposals to amend the Dallas Charter.

This combination of file photos shows Democratic presidential candidate Vice President Kamala Harris (left) speaking during a campaign rally in Kalamazoo, Michigan, October 26, 2024, and Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump (right) speaking during a campaign rally on October 26 . October 22, 2024, in Greensboro, NC

US President and Vice President

On the Republican side, former President Donald Trump is running alongside Ohio Senator JD Vance. Trump's campaign website lists 20 “core promises,” including promises to “seal the border” and “carry out the largest deportation operation in American history.”

On the Democratic side, Vice President Kamala Harris is running alongside Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz after President Biden dropped out of the election. According to the campaign website, Harris and Walz are fighting for “a new path forward for the middle class” and say their plan is to reduce costs and “create an opportunity economy.”

U.S. Rep. Colin Allred, D-Dallas, left, and U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, right — U.S. Rep. Colin Allred, D-Dallas, left, narrows the gap in his bid to unseat U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas.

US Senate

Ted Cruz was first elected to the Senate in 2012. A conservative hothead, he ran for president in 2016 and won the second-most delegates after Trump. Cruz says he is “leading the fight” in the Senate to secure the U.S.-Mexico border.

Allred, a former NFL player from the Dallas area, was first elected to the House in 2018 when Democrats retook the House. He was one of two Democrats to flip U.S. House seats in Texas this year. Allred was one of 14 House Democrats who joined Republicans in a resolution in January condemning President Biden for his “open borders policy.” If elected, Allred would be the first black senator from Texas.

Republican Rep. Angie Chen Button (left) is running against Democratic challenger Averie Bishop for House District 112.

Texas House District 112

70-year-old Rep. Angie Chen Button is living the American dream. After migrating from Taiwan to Texas at age 24 to pursue graduate studies, she improved her English, climbed the career ladder and was elected to the House of Representatives, where she served eight terms as the only Asian American woman in the legislature.

Averie Bishop, 28, is living her own version of the American dream. Her mother fled poverty in the Philippines and moved to Texas, where she worked as a maid and married a bus driver. The two worked hard so Bishop could eventually go to college and study law and become the first Asian American to be crowned Miss Texas in 2022.

Both say their stories reflect the opportunity and upward mobility that drew so many immigrants to Texas. Now they're facing off in the November election against two Asian candidates vying for the House District 112 seat, which is expected to be one of the state's most competitive legislative races.

Texas House District 70

Rep. Mihaela Plesa became the first Democrat in decades to be elected to the Statehouse from Collin County when she won that seat. Steve Kinard is the Republican candidate.

The House District 70 race is one of the few competitive statehouse races in the state. Plesa won two years ago with around 850 votes. But she said her experience in the Legislature will make a difference to voters. Plesa was named Freshman of the Year by the Texas Legislative Study Group.

Dallas County Proposals

Three changes to Dallas' city charter that were thrown out at the very end of the upcoming November vote could drastically impact the city's police department — and change the way local government operates. Proposals S, T and U are at the very end of the vote. If passed, they could have a significant impact on policing and change the way Dallas government operates.

If passed, the changes could force the city to hire more police officers, report how the money is spent and tie the city manager's compensation to a community survey. It would also allow residents to sue the city for charter violations and force the city to remove government immunity.

Proposals S, T and U are supported by an organization called Dallas HERO. While its proponents say it would put power and responsibility back in the hands of residents, its critics — which include the entire City Council, four former Dallas mayors and current Mayor Eric Johnson, as well as the Dallas Police Union — say the measures are dangerous .

Proposition R would decriminalize possession of large amounts of cannabis in Dallas. It was supported by a group called Ground Game Texas.

Democrat Patrick Moses is challenging incumbent Tarrant County Sheriff Bill Waybourn.

Tarrant County Sheriff

Tarrant County voters have elected a Republican to the county's top law enforcement office for nearly 40 years. But as the clock ticks toward Nov. 5, incumbent Republican Sheriff Bill Waybourn is being asked the toughest questions he has faced since taking office in 2017.

More than 65 people have died in custody during Waybourn's term. The sheriff's primary job is to manage the jail – and the rising death toll has drawn intense criticism from those who say new leadership is the only way forward. Waybourn has been in use for the past few months Residents and a county commissioner are calling for his resignation. The current and former Dalworthington Gardens police chief claims solving problems at the prison is more complicated than people understand.

Democrat Patrick Moses, a retired federal law enforcement officer and Fort Worth pastor, is Waybourn's election opponent. Moses says solving prison problems isn't rocket science if you leave politics out of it. But not everyone is convinced they have the skills to take the helm.

North Texas School Bonds

Several North Texas school districts are asking voters to approve tax increases for building maintenance, technology, new buses and more. The bond money from all of these counties combined totals more than $1 billion.

Frisco ISD is asking for $1.08 billion spread across four proposals for campus upgrades and new equipment. The last time Frisco issued a bond package was in 2018.

Allen ISD is seeking $447.44 million in three proposals for building improvements, Wi-Fi access throughout the district and technology updates.

Sunnyvale ISD is seeking $94.9 million in three proposals for a new student activity center, existing building improvements and safety items.

Highland Park ISD wants $137 million for new construction, property renovations and building improvements.

Birdville ISD is asking for $48 million to fund multi-use indoor practice fields.

Grapevine-Colleyville, Coppell, Northwest and Celina are asking voters to approve their own Voter Approval Tax Rate Elections (VATREs) to offset deficits and spending.

School districts have asked voters for more money, citing the state's lack of money due to inflation. The country's education budget has remained unchanged since 2019.

Where and when you should vote

DALLAS COUNTY

Polling stations can be found here; They are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. DART is offering free rides to the polls on Election Day for anyone who has a valid voter registration card.

TARRANT COUNTY

Tarrant County residents can also vote at any polling place in the county. Here is the list of locations. Polling stations are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Trinity Metro is offering free rides to polling locations in Tarrant County. More here.

COLLIN COUNTY

On election day, polling stations are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. A list of polling stations on election day can be found here.

DENTON COUNTY

Denton County residents must vote at their assigned precinct polling place on Election Day. Here are the polling stations. Polling stations are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m

MORE NORTH TEXAS COUNTIES

For voting information, visit the following county websites: