Voter Suppression Efforts Foiled In Tarrant County

By Nisie

August 7, 2026

August 4, 2027 - Former Texas State Representative Lon Burnam being dragged away by police Photo Credit: Facebook @Patrice Jones

 Since Jim Crow, there have always been extreme voting suppression efforts in Texas and southern states. After the civil rights movement, attempts at voter suppression became less blatant, often hidden behind complicated legislation. Today, elected officials like Tarrant County Judge Tim O’Hare are getting right to the point by introducing extreme measures like the dreaded mid-decade redistricting and proposing new cuts to polling locations by 44%. Republicans in Tarrant County have not changed the political landscape in Tarrant County with their voter suppression efforts; they are cementing the existing foundation.

                 On Tuesday, August 4, 2026, the commissioners' court erupted into chaos as officials debated a proposal to reduce Election Day polling places from 316 to 176. Tim’ O Hare, Manny Ramirez, and other Republicans faced intense backlash from critics who don’t agree with cutting 44% of the polling locations in Tarrant County. 

According to a witness, Tim O’Hare became hostile to the speakers and ordered them to clear the chambers after one speaker criticized how O’Hare runs the commissioner’s court. O’Hare instructed sheriff deputies, who provide security in the courtroom, to “clear the entire chambers now.”  One attendee said after being ordered out of the chambers, she went outside and was stunned to see Former Texas state Representative Lon Burnam, 73, being led away in handcuffs. According to witnesses inside the courtroom at the time of the incident, before Burnam was forcefully removed, he had picked up the microphone. He turned around to address the audience during his allotted speaking time. When O’Hare told him to set the microphone down, the former state representative, who is a frequent speaker at commissioner’s court meetings, continued speaking. In an apparent act of defiance, he then lay down on the floor when deputies attempted to remove him. Deputies told him he was under arrest, and his hands were lifted, and his legs were carried out of the chambers. 

Over 100 activists, leaders, and concerned citizens showed up to the commissioner’s court when their voting rights were threatened. Tim’ O Hare had no choice but to table the vote to cut polling locations until next month. The 2026 midterms in Tarrant County will be detrimental to our Democracy. Will the Republicans successfully bulldoze their way to the winning seat, or will Tarrant County be flooded with an overpowering blue wave? 

References:

Shaw, D. (August 19, 2025). Tarrant County Cuts Over 100 Polling Sites, Reduces Early Voting Locations. ProPublica. https://www.propublica.org/article/tarrant-county-texas-polling-sites-early-voting-cuts

Standard, T. (July 1, 2024). Tarrant County residents push back against bans from Commissioners Court meetings. https://texasstandard.org/stories/tarrant-county-texas-residents-banned-speaking-commissioners-court/

Vandergriff, C. & Mugavero, A. (June 5, 2025). Controversial Tarrant County redistricting approved amid public protests and partisan debates. CBS News Texas. https://www.cbsnews.com/texas/news/tarrant-county-redistricting-approved-amid-public-protests-and-partisan-debates/