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Tarrant County Prepares Vote on Contested Redistricting Maps

Critics say the GOP-drawn plans pack nonwhite voters into a single district to dilute minority voting power.

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The current Tarrant County commissioners map, showing a Fort Worth precinct in red and an Arlington precinct in yellow, would be redrawn under a proposal to elect a Republican commissioner in Arlington.
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Overview

  • The Tarrant County Commissioners Court will vote on June 3 to select one of six proposed precinct maps for the court’s five seats.
  • A sixth map option, submitted May 28 by the Public Interest Legal Foundation, closely mirrors earlier GOP-backed proposals.
  • Commissioners Manny Ramirez and Matt Krause have acknowledged their support aims to secure an additional Republican seat on the court.
  • SMU researcher Dr. Andrea Barreiro’s mathematical review found the plans ‘pack’ nonwhite voters into one district, raising Voting Rights Act concerns.
  • Mayors of ten Tarrant County cities have signed a letter opposing the redistricting, warning it undermines fair minority representation.