The American Democracy Minute Radio News Report & Podcast for Aug. 28, 2025
We recently told you about Tarrant County, Texas, which in June voted to approve blatantly racially gerrymandered county commissioner districts, and was immediately sued under the Voting Rights Act. Now county commissioners have voted to reduce election day and early voting locations in the county.
Last September, Republican County Judge Tim O’Hare voted to reject the recommended 50 early voting sites, and pushed for cutting eight voting sites on college campuses, saying it was not the county’s job to get students – or any group – to vote, according to reporting by the Fort Worth Report.
August 19th, O’Hare and two other Republicans forming the majority on the commission, voted to reduce the number of polling places from 2023’s 331, to 216, according to reporting by ProPublica and the Fort Worth Report. In a document presented at the August 19th meeting, the college locations appeared to have been removed, and early voting sites cut from 51 to 24.
O’Hare said during the hearing that the cuts were for cost savings. Pro Publica quoted one opponent who testified at the hearing as saying, “You’re not saving money. You’re sacrificing democracy to save a buck.”
The reduction of early voting sites also affects mail-in voting. Drop boxes have been banned in Texas, so U.S. Postal Service or hand delivery to an early voting center are the only options to return a ballot.
We’ve linked ProPublica’s story at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org. I’m Brian Beihl.
Today’s Links
Articles & Resources:
American Democracy Minute – Apparent Racial Gerrymandering in Tarrant County, TX Draws Condemnation and a VRA Lawsuit. The County’s Reply? It’s OK. It was for Political Reasons.
Texas Tribune – In Texas’ biggest purple county, this far-right Republican is creating a playbook for local governing
Fort Worth Report / KERA – Tarrant County commissioners vote to keep all college early voting sites
ProPublica/Fort Worth Report – A Texas County Cuts Over 100 Polling Sites as Trump Attacks Mail-In Voting Nationally
Tarrant Commissioners Court – August 19th Agenda & Documents
Tarrant Commissioners Court – CONSIDERATION TO APPROVE PROPOSED EARLY VOTING AND
ELECTION DAY POLLING LOCATIONS FOR THE NOVEMBER 4, 2025
JOINT SPECIAL AND CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT ELECTION
Groups Taking Action:
Common Cause TX, Lone Star Project, NAACP Tarrant County – Forth Worth
Register or Check Your Voter Registration:
U.S. Election Assistance Commission – How to Register And Vote in Your State
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