Hundreds of Tarrant County residents, student leaders and voting‑rights advocates packed the commissioners’ meeting on Tuesday to oppose a proposed reduction in early‑voting and Election Day polling locations for the Nov. 4 election. Public commenters told the court the changes — which included removing college campus sites and several neighborhood locations inside the 820 Loop in central Fort Worth — would make voting harder for seniors, students, people of color and working families.

Hundreds of speakers expressed similar concerns, arguing that cuts to polling sites replicate patterns of reduced access that fall heaviest on low‑income communities and communities of color. Speakers noted that previously used campus sites at UTA, TCC and other colleges were not included on the proposed list and urged commissioners to restore them.

Advocates cited research on travel distance and turnout, and voters who depend on public transit or walking said a move of several miles to a new site could be a practical barrier. Several community organizations asked the court to keep the 2023 footprint in place or add additional sites such as Como Community Center, Bob Duncan Center and Vernon Newsom Stadium.

The court’s final vote to approve an amended list of sites followed the public comment period. Election officials said they tried to balance statutory requirements, ADA accessibility and site size with logistics and cost; community speakers said the result shortchanged already hard‑to‑reach voters.

The practical effect: the approved list is now the operational roadmap for staff to program voting equipment and recruit poll workers. County officials said they will continue outreach to inform voters about where to cast ballots, but many speakers said the final decision will leave some neighborhoods less conveniently served.

Why it matters: changes to the number and location of polling sites can affect turnout; the public response at Tuesday’s meeting signals sustained community engagement and possible legal and political scrutiny going into the fall election.