Another Texas Gerrymander: Send Us Your Questions

The Texas governor has called a special session, to start on July 21, for the state legislature to adopt a new congressional map that would gift seats to the GOP in next year’s midterm elections. President Trump has urged state Republicans to support this effort to shore up his party’s odds of retaining Congress in 2026.

Texas last redrew its voting maps in 2021, and returning to redistricting after just five years is rare by national standards. This has critics denouncing partisan gamesmanship, and warning that a new gerrymander would further dilute the voting power of communities of color ahead of the 2026 elections. Some Republicans have also expressed concern that seeking to further extend their control could make some red districts vulnerable to Democrats. 

Michael Li, an expert on redistricting and democracy at the Brennan Center for Justice, has closely followed years of controversies and litigation over gerrymandering in Texas. And now he has agreed to respond to questions from Bolts readers on what is unfolding in Texas this month.

So, as we look ahead to Texas’ special session, we want to hear from you: What questions do you have about Texas’ mid-decade redistricting, and its effects on voter representation? 

Are you wondering about the legality of the GOP’s maneuver? Whether the Voting Rights Act could restrict them? How a new round of redistricting could affect Texas’ communities of color? Where the Texas GOP may look to maximize seats? Which other states may plan to redistrict in the near future? We want to hear from you about any questions you may have. 

Let us know in the form below by July 23, and Li will answer your questions as part of our series “Ask Bolts”, where we solicit questions from our readers.