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Tarrant County officials vote to cut 92 polling sites
Tarrant County commissioners voted 3-2 along party lines to reduce the number of polling locations for upcoming midterm elections. The plan will cut 92 sites, reducing the total from 316 in 2022 to 224 this year.
Republican commissioners, including County Judge Tim O'Hare, supported the measure, citing cost-saving efforts and low voter turnout at certain locations. They maintained that the remaining sites meet statutory minimums and provide sufficient access.
Democratic commissioners Alisa Simmons and Roderick Miles Jr. opposed the cuts, arguing the move is politically motivated and serves to suppress voter turnout. Civil rights organizations, including the NAACP and the ACLU of Texas, expressed concern that the reductions will disproportionately impact voters of color, particularly in majority-minority areas of Fort Worth and Arlington.
The decision followed a lengthy public hearing where over 100 residents and representatives from 30 civic groups voiced opposition to the plan.
Entities
ACLU of Texas · Alisa Simmons · NAACP · Rodrick Miles Jr. · Tarrant County · Tarrant County Commissioners' Court · Tim O'Hare
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 4 SOURCES] County Judge Tim O'Hare stated that 54 polling places will still exceed the statutory minimum for Election Day. abc30.com · 6abc.com · abc7.com · abc7ny.com
- [● 4 SOURCES] Democratic commissioners Alisa Simmons and Rodrick Miles Jr. voted against the reduction of polling locations. abc30.com · 6abc.com · abc7.com · abc7ny.com
- [● 4 SOURCES] Polling sites will decrease from 316 in the 2022 midterm elections to 224 for the upcoming elections. abc30.com · 6abc.com · abc7.com · abc7ny.com
- [● 4 SOURCES] Republicans argued the remaining polling locations would meet mandatory minimum requirements. abc30.com · 6abc.com · abc7.com · abc7ny.com
- [● 4 SOURCES] Republicans cited cost-cutting measures and low voter turnout as reasons for the reduction. abc30.com · 6abc.com · abc7.com · abc7ny.com
- [● 4 SOURCES] The Tarrant County Commissioners' Court voted to reduce the number of polling locations by 92. abc30.com · 6abc.com · abc7.com · abc7ny.com