Tarrant County Considers Halving Early Voting, Cutting 100+ Election Day Sites

Tarrant County commissioners are considering a proposal to significantly reduce early voting and Election Day polling locations for the upcoming November 2025 election, cutting early voting sites from 51 to 24 and Election Day sites from 349 to 214. Critics, including Democratic Commissioner Alisa Simmons and community activists, argue that this reduction disproportionately affects minority voters, college students, and other groups, labeling it as a form of voter suppression aimed at limiting access to the ballot box. Republican County Judge Tim O'Hare and the GOP-led commissioners court have faced previous backlash for similar efforts, including a failed attempt to eliminate early voting locations at college campuses in 2024. Political experts suggest the move could benefit Republicans by targeting younger and Democratic-leaning voters. Some local officials express concern about disenfranchisement of entire communities, particularly in neighborhoods losing nearby early voting sites. The commissioners' vote is scheduled for Tuesday, with debate ongoing about the rationale and legal implications of the proposed changes.