Tarrant County Cuts 92 Polling Sites Ahead of Midterms
Turnout surged 63% in the first week of early voting, but long lines and transportation hurdles remain for voters in the Dallas-Fort Worth metro area.
By Alexei Brooks ·
Tarrant County officials reduced the number of voting locations from 316 to 224 in the 2026 midterm elections, a move that triggered a coordinated response from local advocacy groups. The five-member Commissioner's Court voted in September to eliminate 92 sites, a decision that split the body along party lines. Three Republican commissioners supported the reduction, while two Democrats voted against it. This change affects the largest county in Texas that Donald Trump won in 2024, a region that has become increasingly competitive in recent national cycles.
The financial and logistical arguments driving the cut center on efficiency. Republican County Commissioner Matt Krause stated that the new number complies with state law and prevents clustering of sites. He argued that the adjustment ensures efficient use of polling infrastructure. Conversely, Democratic Commissioner Roderick Miles, Jr., contended that removing long-established sites creates barriers for residents who have voted in those locations for decades. He noted that convenience is a critical factor in voter access.
Data from September indicates the cuts disproportionately affected areas with high non-white populations. An analysis found that 21 ZIP codes, where more than 75% of residents are non-white, lost 37 polling sites. These codes represent approximately 30% of the county but accounted for 40% of the total site losses. In ZIP code 76010, which is 86% non-white with a median household income of $45,466, Election Day locations dropped from eight to three. Similarly, ZIP code 76119, which is 93% non-white, saw its sites fall from nine to three without replacements. The county-wide median household income sits at $84,207, with the population being 58% non-white.
Estella Williams, who leads the Tarrant County-Fort Worth chapter of the NAACP, launched a campaign to mitigate the impact of the closures. Her team is conducting phone banking and texting registered voters who previously used the closed sites. Williams stated that the goal is to ensure voters have access without facing unnecessary obstacles. She emphasized that the situation has affected marginalized communities and that volunteers are making personal calls to explain early voting activities.
To address transportation gaps, the NAACP partnered with Trinity Metro, the local public transit provider. This collaboration offers free roundtrip bus rides to the polls during early voting and on Election Day. The initiative targets residents without personal vehicles. Williams said the partnership aims to adhere to the democratic process by ensuring eligible voters can cast their ballots.
Despite the reduction in sites, voter participation has been high. As of Thursday evening, early voting turnout in Tarrant County was up 63% compared to the first week of the 2022 midterms. However, WFAA reported that many voters encountered long lines and waited for hours. The high volume of voters combined with fewer locations has created a strain on the system. County officials from both parties are working to ensure voters know where to cast their ballots.
The political stakes in Tarrant County are high for the 2026 midterms. Keith Gaddie, a political science professor at Texas Christian University, noted that the county has shifted from a traditional Republican stronghold to a swing region after backing Joe Biden in 2020. Gaddie argued that maintaining Republican control in Tarrant is essential for the party to keep both chambers in Congress. He stated that a Republican majority in Congress requires dominating Texas.
The race for Texas Attorney General between Ken Paxton and Democrat James Talarico has been identified as a potential bellwether. Texans have not had a Democratic senator for 33 years, but polls show the current Senate race is competitive. Gaddie suggested that if the Senate seat flips, it could put the entire state in play for the 2028 presidential race. Tim Davis, the Tarrant County Republican Party Chair, called turnout vital, while Democratic Chair Allison Campolo said her party is chasing every single voter.
Republican County Judge Tim O'Hare defended the site closures in a statement last month. He noted that 54 of the 224 available locations exceed the statutory minimum. O'Hare said the plan avoids the wasteful practice of placing sites directly across the street from one another. He asserted that every voter deserves a safe and accessible location with secure equipment.
