Tarrant County plan to slash polling sites sparks protests ahead of Senate contest

Tarrant County officials have drafted a plan to reduce the number of polling places by 92 compared with the 2022 midterms, citing low usage at certain sites and a desire to avoid redundant locations. The county maintains that voters will still have access to more than 200 polling stations, with an average distance of about 1.5 miles between them, and that sites near bus stops meeting federal accessibility standards will stay open.

Democrats, led by state Rep. James Talarico, argue the cuts will create confusion and suppress turnout, particularly among Hispanic and Black residents who comprise a significant share of the county's population. The proposal will be voted on Tuesday, just as the county becomes a pivotal battleground in the Senate contest between Rep. Talarico and Attorney General Ken Paxton. Republican officials, including Rep. Matt Shaheen and County Judge Tim O’Hare, reject accusations of voter suppression, saying the changes are logistical. Civil-rights groups such as the NAACP and the ACLU have signed a letter urging the county to reject the plan.