Arlington City Council is set to debate a resolution that would place the city on record opposing Tarrant County’s plan to reduce the number of polling places for the 2026 midterm elections. The resolution is scheduled for the council’s regular meeting on Sept. 8, a week after the county commissioners court is slated to vote on the final list of voting sites.
Background on the proposed cuts
In July, county staff presented a cost‑saving proposal that would slash the number of polling locations from 316 in 2022 to 176 – a 45% reduction. After pushback, commissioners delayed the vote, later releasing a revised list of 224 sites. Arlington’s share of the cuts would drop from 30 election‑day sites in 2022 to 19 fewer locations under the new plan.
Data from the 2022 election show that roughly 38% of Arlington ballots were cast at sites slated for elimination. The revised proposal would lower that figure to about 28%, still affecting thousands of voters. Early‑voting sites would also be trimmed, with the University of Texas at Arlington and the Center for Community Service Junior League of Arlington removed from the list.
Mayor and council reactions
Mayor Jim Ross emphasized his commitment to “the easiest opportunity to vote” for all residents. He expressed concern that the cuts may be driven by political motives rather than pure cost savings, noting recent redistricting actions that favored Republican candidates.
Councilmember Bowie Hogg cautioned against a blanket resolution without full understanding of the county’s rationale, while Councilmember Brittney Garcia‑Dumas stressed the council’s duty to listen to constituents who are asking for action. Councilmember Jason Shelton echoed the need to make voting more accessible, warning that the cuts could make it harder for some citizens to reach a polling place.
County perspective
County election administrator Clint Ludwig defended the formula used to determine which sites would close, saying it was based on historical voter turnout and intended to save money. He noted that many of the proposed closures involve locations that have seen low usage or have changed ownership.
Commissioners ultimately delayed the vote after determining the original proposal would cut “too many” sites, but the revised list still represents a significant reduction.
What’s at stake
If the council adopts the resolution, Arlington would join Fort Worth in formally opposing the county’s polling‑place reductions. While the resolution carries no legal weight over the commissioners court’s decision, it signals strong local opposition and could influence future discussions about election accessibility.
Residents are encouraged to attend the Sept. 8 council meeting to voice their opinions. The city attorney has been directed to draft the resolution, and council members will vote on whether to adopt it after the county’s final decision on the polling‑place list.
Original reporting: Fort Worth Report — read the source article.
