Election Day polling places would have been cut nearly in half compared to 2022, if the plan from the county\u2019s election office had been approved. Instead, commissioners postponed a decision on where to put voting locations until a later meeting, after court members, including County Judge Tim O\u2019Hare, raised concerns.<\/p>\n
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In a news release, Ramirez asked Election Administrator Clint Ludwig to present the court with a voting site plan that includes every 2022 polling location that agrees to be a voting site again for the 2026 midterms. The polling places for Election Day and early voting should be the same or \u201csubstantially similar\u201d to those used in 2022, his office said in an email.<\/p>\n
There should be an effort to \u201cbalance these locations in an equal number by precinct,\u201d Ramirez, a Republican who represents Precinct 4, said in a statement.<\/p>\n
\u201cProviding free, fair, and adequate access to the ballot is a fundamental duty of government,\u201d Ramirez said. \u201cThere is no place, and never should be, for political motives in deciding where citizens vote. My position on this remains the same.\u201d<\/p>\n
Election Day is Nov. 3 and early voting runs from Oct. 19-30.<\/p>\n
Ludwig declined to comment. He told the court Tuesday that proposed polling locations were based on math and not political.<\/p>\n
The reduced number of midterm sites drew backlash from members of the public, advocates and candidates<\/a>. State Rep. Vikki Goodwin, the Democratic nominee for Texas lieutenant governor, called the plan \u201cobvious voter suppression\u201d during a rally before the court convened its Tuesday meeting.<\/p>\n Ramirez defended the court\u2019s track record of selecting voting sites.<\/p>\n \u201cDespite recent attempts by some to manufacture controversy and division, the Tarrant County Commissioners\u2019 Court has always delivered, and will continue to deliver, the same reliable access our communities deserve,\u201d Ramirez said. \u201cVoters need steady, consistent leadership on election operations, not uncertainty.\u201d<\/p>\n He added that, regardless of where voting sites are located, the county has a record of electing conservative leaders and chosen \u201cfiscal responsibility and common-sense policies.\u201d<\/p>\n The court will likely meet Sept. 1 to reconsider the midterm polling locations.<\/p>\n O\u2019Hare described Ramirez\u2019s ask as \u201ccommon sense\u201d in a Friday written statement. The county judge said he supports the request \u201cso long as there are no locations across the street from another, no locations where fewer than 20 people voted on Election Day, and polling locations are balanced between the precincts, which was not the case in 2022.\u201d<\/p>\n He continued: \u201cI have already communicated to the Elections Administrator that we need a significant number of sites added for Election Day over the original list and will thoroughly review the proposed lists once he posts them. Tarrant County voters can rest assured there will be ample polling sites, money will not be wasted, and their votes will be secure in the 2026 midterms.\u201d<\/p>\n This story was originally published August 7, 2026 5:31 PM.<\/p>\n Eleanor Dearman<\/a><\/p>\n Fort Worth Star-Telegram<\/p>\n Eleanor (Elly) Dearman is a Texas politics and government reporter for the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. She\u2019s based in Austin, covering the Legislature and its impact on North Texas. She grew up in Denton and has been a reporter for more than six years.
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