Tarrant County Commissioners approve cut of 92 polling sites for 2024 midterms
The three Republican commissioners in Texas' third-largest county voted to reduce polling locations by about 30%, sparking criticism from Democrats and voting-rights groups who say the changes will disproportionately affect minority voters.
Tarrant County officials voted Tuesday to trim the number of Election Day polling places from 316 to 224, a reduction of roughly 30% compared with the 2022 midterms. The county, which serves about 1.3 million registered voters, will allow any voter to cast a ballot at any of the remaining sites.
All three Republican members of the county commissioners court supported the plan, while the two Democratic members opposed it. Proponents argue the cuts will save money and that the remaining sites provide sufficient access for voters.
Civil-rights organizations, including the NAACP and the ACLU of Texas, warned that the reductions are concentrated in majority-minority neighborhoods in Fort Worth and Arlington and could suppress turnout among voters of color. They cited research linking longer travel times to lower participation rates.
State Representative James Talarico, the Democratic challenger to Attorney General Ken Paxton, urged the county to reject the proposal, saying it would make voting more difficult for many residents.
County Judge Tim O’Hare, a Republican, responded to criticism by noting that the request for additional sites came from a specific commissioner representing his precinct.
Supporters of the measure pointed to underused locations that required substantial staffing and resources, describing them as inefficient.
The decision comes as Tarrant County, a fast-growing and politically competitive area, remains a focal point in Texas elections following recent swings between parties in presidential and Senate races.