Key facts
- Tarrant County, Texas, plans to reduce the number of polling locations for the November midterm elections.
- The proposal, set for a vote, would decrease polling sites by 92 compared to the 2022 midterms.
- Democrats, including state Rep. James Talarico, are protesting the plan, calling it voter suppression.
- County officials state the reductions will save resources by eliminating low-turnout sites.
- Voting rights groups, including the NAACP and ACLU, have joined the opposition.
- Tarrant County is a key battleground in the U.S. Senate race.
A proposal to significantly decrease the number of polling locations in Tarrant County, Texas, ahead of the November midterm elections has sparked protests from Democrats who argue it could lead to voter confusion and suppression.
County officials contend the plan is a cost-saving measure that will eliminate underutilized sites, noting that voters will still have access to over 200 locations. Tarrant County, home to over 2 million residents and bordering Dallas, is considered a key battleground in the U.S. Senate race. Democratic state Rep. James Talarico has publicly urged the county to reject the proposal, stating that such reductions make it difficult for people to vote.
If approved, Tarrant County would have 92 fewer polling sites than during the 2022 midterms. County elections officials acknowledge that reducing polling locations is not a new trend in Texas, often attributed to the adoption of countywide voting and challenges in recruiting poll workers. However, voting rights organizations, including the NAACP and ACLU, have sent a letter to the county opposing the closures, particularly highlighting their potential impact on minority voters, who constitute a significant portion of the county's population.
Republican officials, such as Rep. Matt Shaheen, chairman of the House Elections Committee, have dismissed accusations of vote suppression, calling them "silly." Tarrant County Judge Tim O’Hare, a Republican, stated the plan aims to eliminate wasteful practices like placing polling sites too close to each other, while prioritizing accessible locations near public transport.