Overview
- The Texas Supreme Court ruled on Friday, Sept. 11, that Galveston County cannot use precinct boundaries it redrew in late June for the November general election and must use the maps in place for the March 2026 primary.
- The court found no legal authority for a county to alter lines after an election cycle has begun and warned that mid‑cycle changes raise serious constitutional concerns because a primary and its general are treated as one electoral process.
- Galveston County commissioners approved the new maps on June 28–29 to redraw commissioner, constable and justice of the peace precincts and made them effective immediately, saying the changes would improve judicial administration and county efficiency.
- The court said the county may implement the June map after the November election, but that outcome could still be blocked by a pending federal lawsuit that alleges the county’s 2021 maps dismantled a majority‑minority precinct and intentionally discriminated against minority voters.
- Officials and voting experts warn the ruling could complicate ballot printing and delivery for overseas and military voters, although county lawyers say most local races are uncontested and the decision will not change who is unopposed.