Tarrant County Republicans Slash 92 Polling Sites, Threatening Minority Voting Rights for 2024 Midterms
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In a blatant attack on democracy, the three Republican commissioners in Texas' third-largest county voted to gut polling locations by about 30%. This move has drawn fierce condemnation from Democrats and voting-rights advocates, who warn it will disproportionately disenfranchise minority voters.
On Tuesday, Tarrant County officials, led by a Republican majority, voted to slash the number of Election Day polling places from 316 to 224—a staggering 30% reduction compared to the 2022 midterms. This decision directly impacts the county’s 1.3 million registered voters, many of whom now face longer travel times and greater obstacles to casting their ballots. While the county claims any voter can use any remaining site, this does little to address the barriers created by the cuts.
All three Republican members of the county commissioners court pushed through the plan, ignoring the objections of the two Democratic members. Republicans justify the cuts with hollow arguments about saving money and maintaining 'sufficient access,' but these claims ring false in the face of evidence.
Civil-rights groups, including the NAACP and the ACLU of Texas, have sounded the alarm, pointing out that the closures are concentrated in majority-minority neighborhoods in Fort Worth and Arlington. These communities, already facing systemic obstacles, are now at even greater risk of voter suppression. Research consistently shows that longer travel times lead to lower voter participation, especially among marginalized groups.
Democratic State Representative James Talarico, who is challenging Attorney General Ken Paxton, called on the county to reject the proposal, highlighting the increased difficulty it will pose for many residents, particularly people of color and working-class voters.
Republican County Judge Tim O’Hare tried to deflect criticism by blaming a specific commissioner’s request for more sites, but this does nothing to address the core issue: the deliberate undermining of voting access.
Supporters of the measure, echoing right-wing talking points, claim that underused locations were inefficient and costly. Yet, this rationale conveniently ignores the essential role these sites play in ensuring equitable access for all voters.
This decision comes as Tarrant County, a rapidly growing and politically contested area, remains a battleground in Texas elections. The move to restrict polling places is a clear attempt to suppress turnout and tip the scales in favor of Republican interests.