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Protests erupt over plan to slash polling locations in key Texas swing county
MS NOW • • nation
Key Points:
- Tarrant County commissioners postponed a vote on a proposal to reduce polling sites to 176, following community opposition citing the county's population growth and the need for more, not fewer, locations.
- Former Democratic state representative Lon Burnam and Fort Worth resident EJ Carrion were both arrested on charges of disrupting the meeting after speaking against the polling site reductions.
- Over 85 speakers, including Democratic candidates and community members, opposed the polling cuts, labeling them as voter suppression and civil rights violations, while only a few supported the plan, citing efficiency and responsible stewardship.
- Concerns were raised about the impact on students at the University of Texas at Arlington and communities of color, with critics comparing the reductions to historical voter suppression tactics like poll taxes.
- State Rep. Vikki Goodwin and other opponents urged voters to prioritize early voting as a response to the proposed polling site cuts.
