Will TX Democrats Get The Horns?

Texas and U.S. flags fly over the Texas State Capitol. © Ken Herman / USA TODAY NETWORK / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

(Austin, TX) – Allegations of partisan gerrymandering has led to an exodus of Texas State Democrats from the Lone Star State. Republicans claim the Democrats are being sore losers while the fleeing Democrats claim the new districts disenfranchise Texas voters. Let’s break down the controversy and look at where this story stands now:

Back to the Beginning 

A flock of Texas Democrats ditched the state in protest this past Sunday. The lawmakers were opposed to new state lines being drawn that would have eliminated several seats currently held by Democrats. Usually, states redraw districts every 10 years following the census to reflect any shifts in population. Texas decided to jump ahead of the curve and carve up the state during a special session. Last month, President Trump said Republicans should take advantage of their majority and pick up more seats. 

Who Fled?

Over 50 Democratic lawmakers left the state, effectively breaking quorum – or the number of people needed for a meeting. The state’s special 30 day session is set to end August 19th. The meeting was focused on the proposed legislative map along with issues regarding emergency response and management in the wake of the deadly Hill Country Floods. Texas has seen multiple walkouts in the past, including in 2021 when Democrats protested an overhaul of voting rules. 

What is Gerrymandering?

Gerrymandering is the term used to describe the manipulation of voting maps and legislative districts motivated by partisan politics. The term goes back to the 19th century when then Massachusetts Governor Elbridge Gerry proposed new state senate districts. The Boston Gazette used the term “Gerry-mander” to describe the fractured districts. Fun trivia fact, Gerry did not actually agree with the new districts, despite signing off on the bill creating the new lines. 

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The Texas argument has led both sides of the aisle to re-evaluate the practice. Democrats in blue states, who have welcomed the Texas lawmakers on the lam, like New York and California have proposed redrawing their own lines in response. Both California and New York leave their maps up to an independent commission. New York faces an uphill battle especially, after the Democrats were forced back to the drawing board during the 2021 redistricting, after the Court of Appeals found unconstitutional gerrymandering. 

Where We Stand Now

Texas Governor Greg Abbott ordered the arrest of Democrats who left, after the House also passed civil arrest warrants for the state lawmakers who left. However, it is not clear that Texas has any say outside of state lines. Meanwhile, Senator John Cornyn is looking to the Feds to help with the situation. Cornyn sent a letter to FBI Director Kash Patel urging the intelligence agency to probe any criminal acts from state Democrats. Patel, according to Cornyn, has agreed to help track down the Democrats. The locations of many of them are known.