Overview

• Gov. Greg Abbott has called the Texas Legislature into a July 21 special session to redraw congressional districts at President Trump’s urging, aiming to add up to five GOP seats before the 2026 midterms.
• The Justice Department Civil Rights Division warned on July 7 that current Texas lines unlawfully factor in race, setting up immediate Voting Rights Act litigation.
• Former Rep. Beto O’Rourke and House Democrats have publicly urged blue-state governors to “match fire with fire” by pursuing their own mid-decade redraws.
• California Gov. Gavin Newsom is exploring legal and constitutional strategies to override the state’s independent redistricting commission for a potential map overhaul.
• Civil rights groups including MALDEF warn that carving up majority-minority districts risks violating the Voting Rights Act and pledge lawsuits if protected communities are diluted.