Texas: Defend Democracy, Reverse Tarrant County’s Polling Site Cuts

Tarrant County officials have voted to eliminate over 100 Election Day polling sites and halve early voting stations, significantly limiting access for Texans with mobility issues, transit challenges, or work conflicts. Research shows that increases in distance to polling locations decrease voter turnout, particularly among Black and Latinx communities. County Judge Roderick Miles Jr. emphasized that every vote counts in the democratic process. This decision reflects a disturbing trend where unfounded claims of fraud justify restrictions that harm already vulnerable voters. Election scholar Heather Gerken describes such restrictions as the modern "poll tax," undermining trust in democracy. Texas state legislators must act quickly to restore and expand polling locations, hold hearings to investigate these decisions, and invest in mobile voting and transportation assistance. If they fail to act, they silence communities and weaken democracy in Texas.