Arlington city manager Trey Yelverton, left, Mayor Jim Ross, center, and city attorney Molly Shortall smile during a meeting Sept. 29 at the City Council chambers. The Maverick Activities Center is one of the polling sites that have been removed for the upcoming election.
The Arlington City Council voted 7-1 on Tuesday to approve a resolution requesting that the Tarrant County Commissioners Court reconsider the reduction of polling places for the November 2026 election and future elections.
The resolution responds to the Sept. 1 Tarrant County Commissioners Court decision to reduce polling locations for the November 2026 election, according to a city staff report.
Council member Mauricio Galante, who voted in opposition, said although the Maverick Activities Center early voting location was cut, the city typically offers free ride-share services to voting locations through Arlington On-Demand.
“I can justify that we have transportation free for anybody that wants to vote,” Galante said.
He said the Tarrant County Commissioners Court made a financially responsible decision, adding that making polling locations more efficient should be a priority.
“Tarrant County made the math and chose what was best,” Galante said.
City Council member Jason Shelton speaks to the audience during a meeting Sept. 29 at the council chambers. The council voted to pass the Tarrant County November 2026 Election Polling Places resolution.
When compared to the November 2022 election, Election Day voting locations in Arlington under the new list decreased from 59 to 37, and early voting locations decreased from 7 to 6, according to the staff report.
The resolution urges the commissioners court to consider the restoration of the UTA polling place and to preserve equitable access to the ballot while making fiscally responsible decisions.
Council member Brittney Garcia-Dumas said a governing body should not make it more difficult for voters to access their voting location.
“Anytime you’re the one making it more difficult for people to vote, you’re the bad guy,” Garcia-Dumas said.
City Council member Mauricio Galante talks to the audience during a meeting Sept. 29 at the council chambers. Galante opposed a resolution calling for consideration of alternatives to reducing the number of polling places ahead of the 2026 election.
She said removing the voting location on campus may affect students, professors and administrators wanting to cast their votes.
Mayor Jim Ross said the council should be making it easier for residents to vote, especially those with lesser means.
“Voting is a right that we should not take for granted in today’s world,” Ross said.
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