Politics
Proposed reduction of Tarrant County polling locations faces pushback ahead of vote
A plan to reduce Election Day voting sites by 92 compared to 2022 has sparked opposition from Democrats and civil rights groups in Texas's third-largest county.
The short version
- Tarrant County officials are set to vote Tuesday on a proposal that would reduce Election Day polling locations by 92 compared to the 2022 midterm elections.
- Democratic state Rep. James Talarico, the NAACP, and the ACLU urged the county to reject the plan, arguing it could cause voter confusion and disproportionately affect minority communities.
- Republican officials and election administrators defended the plan, stating it eliminates low-turnout sites, conserves resources, and leaves more than 200 accessible locations.
- The decision comes amid an upcoming U.S. Senate race between Talarico and Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton in the key battleground county.
Key facts
- Tarrant County officials are considering a proposal to cut 92 Election Day polling locations compared to the 2022 midterms, leaving over 200 sites open across the county.[ABC News · ABC News · Associated Press]
- The county's proposal is scheduled for a vote on Tuesday.[ABC News · ABC News · Associated Press]
- Democratic state Rep. James Talarico, along with the NAACP and the ACLU, signed letters or made public statements opposing the plan, claiming it burdens voters and impacts minority areas.[ABC News · ABC News · Associated Press]
- County Judge Tim O'Hare and Elections Administrator Clint Ludwig stated the plan avoids redundant sites, cuts underutilized locations, and prioritizes sites near transit and federal accessibility standards.[ABC News · ABC News · Associated Press]
- Under the proposed plan, county officials estimate the average distance between Election Day polling locations would be 1.5 miles.[ABC News · ABC News · Associated Press]
- Texas law permits each of the state's 254 counties to determine its own number of polling places.[ABC News · ABC News · Associated Press]
What remains uncertain
- It remains unknown whether the county board will approve, modify, or reject the polling site plan during Tuesday's vote.[ABC News · ABC News · Associated Press]
Sources
- Plan to cut number of polling sites in a major Texas countyABC News - Politics
- Plan to cut number of polling sites in a major Texas county draws protests as Senate race loomsABC News - US News
- Plan to cut number of polling sites in a major Texas county draws protests as Senate race loomsAssociated Press