Overview
- The Texas Supreme Court on Friday ordered Galveston County to use the precinct maps from the March 2026 primary for the November general election and barred the new boundaries approved in late June from taking effect this cycle.
- The court said counties lack legal authority to change lines once an election has started because the primary and corresponding general election operate together and the Election Code requires uniform, consistent conduct of elections.
- Precinct 3 Constable Derreck Rose and residents Wilma Green and Diane Merchant filed emergency petitions in August to stop the June map, arguing the mid‑cycle change could leave some voters without candidates and prevent others from voting for candidates they chose in the primary.
- County Judge Mark Henry told reporters the June redrawing aimed to improve judicial function, create fiscal efficiencies, and increase Republican prospects, but local officials warned the late change has complicated ballot printing and overseas vote delivery.
- Galveston may adopt the new map after the November election, but a separate federal lawsuit challenging the county’s 2021 maps for alleged racial discrimination remains pending and could still affect whether any new lines are enforced.