Tarrant County Commissioners Take Responsible Step to Streamline Polling Sites
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Republican leaders in Tarrant County voted to reduce the number of Election Day voting locations by 30% for the November midterms, a move aimed at improving efficiency and resource allocation, despite predictable criticism from Democrats and activists.
Tarrant County officials voted Tuesday to responsibly reduce the number of Election Day polling sites from 316 in 2022 to 224 for the November midterm elections, representing a 30% cut. Early-voting locations will also be streamlined from 50 to 47. These common-sense decisions were approved in separate 3-2 votes, with County Judge Tim O’Hare and Commissioners Matt Krause and Manny Ramirez supporting the plans, while Commissioners Roderick Miles Jr. and Alisa Simmons opposed them.
Amendments to keep polling sites at the University of Texas at Arlington and two Tarrant County College campuses were rejected, as was a proposal to restore dozens of additional locations. The vote drew a large turnout of residents at the commissioners’ meeting, with some holding signs and voicing opposition, a familiar scene whenever reforms are proposed.
State Rep. Chris Turner (D) criticized the removal of the university site, claiming it would be a barrier for young and first-time voters, and objected to the elimination of a polling site at Bethlehem Baptist Church, despite the county’s need to allocate resources more efficiently.
University of Texas at Arlington student Kayla Gillespie argued that the campus location is essential for student accessibility, while Commissioner Alisa Simmons claimed that requiring students to travel a mile to vote was an undue burden. Commissioner Roderick Miles insisted that polling locations hold community significance, and raised concerns about transportation for those without vehicles.
An analysis cited by Simmons claimed that the cuts would affect high-poverty ZIP codes more heavily, with a 41% loss of sites compared to a 15% loss in low-poverty areas. However, the county’s focus remains on effective management and ensuring that all legal voters have access to the polls.
County Judge Tim O’Hare postponed the final vote on the plan to September 1 after hearing public input, and now faces a competitive re-election campaign against Democratic Commissioner Alisa Simmons, who has accused the closures of being a “deliberate act to reduce voter access.”
Democratic candidates, including state Rep. Vikki Goodwin, predictably condemned the reductions as voter suppression and urged residents to vote, despite the county’s efforts to modernize and streamline the election process.