Early voting opens for Frisco City Council special election

Early voting for the special election to fill Frisco City Council Place 1 begins Jan. 14 and continues through Jan. 27, with the special election scheduled for Jan. 31. The seat opened after a resignation, and two candidates appear on the ballot: Ann Anderson and Mark Piland, who will be listed in that order.

Collin County residents can cast ballots at any Collin County polling site during the early voting window and on election day. Voters who live in Frisco do not need to vote at a specific precinct during this special election, but they should confirm hours and locations with Collin County elections before heading to a site. Community groups and local organizations are scheduling meet-and-greet events and candidate forums during the early voting period, including gatherings arranged by neighborhood groups and the Frisco Chamber.

The contest comes as Frisco continues to manage fast population growth and ongoing development questions that shape traffic, schools, and city finances. A single council seat can affect zoning votes, development agreements, and budget priorities that translate into the everyday services and quality of life residents experience. With a short calendar between early voting and the Jan. 31 election, the campaign has condensed the usual run of candidate outreach into two busy weeks.

Local organizations have used the early voting window to host public forums where voters can compare candidates on issues important to neighborhoods, such as road improvements, public safety, parks and recreation, and municipal spending. Those events offer one of the few concentrated opportunities to hear directly from both candidates before election day.

For those who cannot attend forums, voter resources remain available through the county and city election offices, which list polling locations and hours. Remember that ballot order is printed with Ann Anderson first and Mark Piland second. That detail can matter in low-turnout elections where name recognition and turnout efforts decide the result.

The short timetable makes planning crucial: check polling hours, bring required ID, and consider voting early if you have travel or scheduling conflicts on Jan. 31. The campaign season in Frisco often centers on very local issues that nonetheless intersect with regional development and school enrollment trends, so the outcome will have practical consequences across neighborhoods.

The takeaway? Make a plan to vote during Jan. 14-27 or on Jan. 31, attend a forum if you can, and review candidate information before casting your ballot so your neighborhood priorities are represented. Our two cents? Vote early if possible and bring a friend to the polls.