Texas Democrats are freaking out over a Republican backed plan to eliminate nearly 100 Election Day polling locations in Tarrant County.
Local officials say the sites are unnecessary and the revised plan comfortably exceeds state requirements.
Tarrant County commissioners will vote Tuesday on a proposal providing 224 Election Day polling locations, compared with 316 during the 2022 midterms.
County officials say the consolidation is based on voter turnout data and will eliminate low turnout locations while making better use of election workers and resources.
The county has more than 1.3 million registered voters but operates a countywide voting system.
AP: Plan to cut number of polling sites in a major Texas county draws protests as Senate race looms
The proposal, set for a vote Tuesday, would reduce the number of polling locations across booming Tarrant County, which borders Dallas and includes Fort Worth.
County officials…
— Politics & Poll Tracker 📡 (@PollTracker2024) August 31, 2026
The system means that voters can cast their ballots at any Election Day polling location rather than being restricted to a particular precinct.
The proposal also provides 54 more locations than Texas law requires.
An earlier plan would have provided 176 Election Day locations, but Tarrant County Judge Tim O’Hare demanded that election officials increase the number.
“When the first version of this plan came before Commissioners Court, I said on the record that I didn’t believe it contained enough locations and asked staff to sharpen their pencils,” O’Hare said.
The resulting proposal added another 48 sites.
Officials have also said some previous locations are no longer usable, while others do not satisfy accessibility requirements.
Nevertheless, Democratic Senate candidate James Talarico appeared at a protest Sunday, claiming that it was part of a sinister plan for voter suppression.
“The most powerful people in this county, the most powerful people in this country, don’t want us to be able to vote easily.”
“We’re here fighting for the rights of everybody,” Talarico added. “The problem is when we let become a partisan issue.”
In Arlington @CommALSimmons and @jamestalarico hold news conference in opposition to a proposal to reduce the number of Tarrant County polling locations. pic.twitter.com/pfIV0lJq6Z
— Gromer M. Jeffers (@gromerjeffers) August 30, 2026
The Texas Democratic Party echoed Talarico’s claims.
“This is not a compromise. Closing one-third of polling places compared to 2022– despite the county growing– is voter suppression.” they moaned.
🚨 After trying to close 140 polling places last month, Republicans in Tarrant county are now pushing a plan to close 92 polling places 🚨
This is not a compromise. Closing one-third of polling places compared to 2022– despite the county growing– is voter suppression. pic.twitter.com/aucbol8Dt1
— Texas Democratic Party (@texasdemocrats) August 31, 2026
The Commissioners Court will vote on the proposal on Tuesday
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