Texas Democrats are leaving the state in an attempt to prevent the state House from holding a vote Monday on new congressional maps that Republicans hope will net them several additional U.S. House seats in the 2026 midterm elections.
The dramatic move Sunday could expose Democrats to fines and other penalties — with the state’s attorney general having previously threatened to arrest them if they took such an action. Refusing to attend legislative session is a civil violation, however, so Democrats legally could not be jailed and it’s unclear who has the power to carry out the warrants.
Democrats have cast the decision to leave the state as a last-ditch effort to stop Republicans who hold full control of the Texas government from pushing through a rare mid-decade redrawing of the congressional map at the direction of President Donald Trump.
I don’t think districts are good. I think allocation based on proportion is better if we are going to change laws. If there is 10 seats 55.1%/44.9% is the vote for platforms in the state then we should hold a primary for 4 seats on x platform and 6 primary election for other platforms. Then land weirdness won’t matter per state. Every vote counts.