Texas Democratic Nominee James Talarico Protests Proposed Polling Place Closures in Tarrant County
Texas Democratic Senate nominee James Talarico is actively protesting a plan by Tarrant County to close 92 polling places ahead of the November midterms. The Commissioners Court for Tarrant County, which includes Fort Worth, is scheduled to vote on this proposal. Talarico argues that these closures are a deliberate attempt to suppress voter turnout, particularly impacting the county's poorer and minority populations. He stated at a press event that the closures would result in longer travel times for voters and lower participation, especially in heavily Black and Latino communities. Proponents of the closures, such as state Rep. Matt Shaheen, chairman of the Texas House Elections Committee, claim the move is intended to save money and is not a political tactic. However, past actions by Republican officials in Tarrant County, including attempts to remove early voting sites on college campuses and reduce polling locations in 2025, suggest a partisan motivation. 
