Officials in Tarrant County, Texas, have approved a controversial plan to reduce the number of polling sites ahead of the upcoming November midterm elections. The decision anticipates 92 fewer locations compared to the 2022 elections, prompting significant backlash from Democrats and voting rights advocates.
The decision was made by a 3-2 vote in the Tarrant County Commissioners Court, with all three Republican members—County Judge Tim O’Hare and commissioners Matt Krause and Manny Ramirez—voting for the plan. The November 3 election will now feature 224 polling locations aimed to serve the county’s 1.3 million voters, down from 316 sites in the 2022 midterms. Democratic commissioners Alisa Simmons and Roderick Miles Jr. opposed the reduction.
Texas law grants counties the authority to determine the number of polling sites. An initial proposal suggested cutting 140 sites, however, this was reduced to 92 after Tarrant County Elections Administrator Clint Ludwig acknowledged opposition that the cuts would be excessive.
Reasons for the Reduction
The plan also entails a slight decrease in early voting locations, dropping to 47 from 50 in 2022. Ludwig clarified that the decision focuses on optimizing locations where voters prefer to vote and where facilities comply with ADA accessibility and operational standards.
County Judge Tim O’Hare rejected claims that the plan suppresses voters. He stated that the plan averages 2.85 miles between early voting locations and 1.56 miles between Election Day sites, avoiding unnecessary placement of polling locations close to one another. He emphasized that every voter deserves accessible and secure voting sites.
Opposition to the Plan
Prior to the approval, more than 100 people spoke against the proposal, citing concerns that reducing sites in familiar community locations could hinder voting, especially for individuals with limited transportation options. Critics, including voting rights advocates, emphasized that the cuts might disproportionately affect Black voters and other minority groups.
Democratic Commissioner Alisa Simmons labeled the decision as politically motivated, suggesting it was about power rather than cost. She, along with Miles, proposed increasing the number of polling sites to accommodate the county’s population growth, but their suggestions were rejected.
Political Implications
Tarrant County, a rapidly growing area including Fort Worth, has witnessed increasing political competitiveness. Historically a Republican stronghold, its recent election outcomes reflect potential shifts toward the Democratic Party. Notably, in recent years, candidates from both major parties have experienced fluctuating levels of support, as illustrated by election results.
This shift alarmed state Republicans, especially after Democrat Taylor Rehmet’s unexpected victory in a special election for a state Senate seat in Tarrant County. The reduction in polling sites is criticized as an attempt to curtail this political change.
Next Steps
Early voting in Tarrant County begins on October 19 and ends on October 30. Election Day is scheduled for November 3, while October 5 is the deadline to register to vote.
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