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In recent months, election officials throughout Texas have been diligently working to redraw precinct boundaries and secure polling places and perso
el ahead of the March primary election. This effort is based on new congressional maps that were drawn by Republican state lawmakers during an unusual mid-decade redistricting process this summer.
County party chairs have been accepting applications from candidates seeking to become precinct chairs—representatives at the neighborhood level—and starting this month, they are also receiving applications from individuals ru
ing for congressional seats within the newly established districts.
However, following a federal court’s decision on Tuesday to block the use of these newly drawn districts in the upcoming midterm elections, election officials are now rushing to revert to the previous congressional maps. This change comes at a critical time, as it coincides with the candidate filing period for the March primary.
Counties like Harris and Travis, which had their district boundaries modified to favor Republicans, face significant challenges under tight deadlines. The state’s plan to appeal the court’s decision to the U.S. Supreme Court adds to the uncertainty, leaving voters confused by the ongoing changes.
The Texas Secretary of State’s Office has instructed election officials in larger jurisdictions to proceed with the 2021 congressional maps as mandated by the federal court, according to Chris Davis, the director of the voter registration division in Travis County. A spokesperson for the office, Alicia Pierce, confirmed that county officials have been advised to stay informed about the court proceedings, as an appeal is underway.
“Whatever ultimately happens, it’s going to have to be done quickly,” Davis remarked, emphasizing the impending March primary.
Cindy Siegel, chair of the Harris County Republican Party, expressed concern that some candidates may need to withdraw their applications or refile for different positions. With the filing deadline approaching on December 8, she fears that her office may not have sufficient time to process the applications of candidates who withdraw and subsequently refile.
“You could title your article ‘HELP!’” she exclaimed.
Siegel also raised questions about the possibility of postponing the primary election due to the ongoing legal disputes over congressional maps. Such a delay would disrupt all of Harris County GOP’s pla
ing, including recruiting workers and securing hundreds of polling locations.
“It’s just crazy,” Siegel said. “Everyone right now is just wondering what’s going to happen. No one knows.”
Texas election administrators have previously encountered similar challenges related to redistricting, resulting in delays and complications.
For instance, in 2012, the Texas primary election was postponed until the summer due to prolonged disputes and legal battles over the state’s congressional maps. The election date was altered multiple times, leading to candidate filing periods being extended and campaigns left in uncertainty without finalized maps.
As the current dispute pertains to a congressional election, only a federal court has the authority to delay the election or modify the filing deadlines, explained Brandon Rottinghaus, a political science professor at the University of Houston.
Rottinghaus noted that courts are equipped to act swiftly in situations like this, making a change to the primary election date unlikely. “They can actually have an outcome pretty quickly that may or may not be the final result, but that will get us through this election,” he stated. However, he acknowledged that candidates remain in a state of uncertainty regarding district lines and the timing of the primary.
Natalia Contreras is a reporter for Votebeat covering election administration and voting access, in collaboration with The Texas Tribune. Based in Corpus Christi, she can be reached at ncontreras@votebeat.org.
Disclosure: The University of Houston has financially supported The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization funded in part by donations from members, foundations, and corporate sponsors. Financial supporters do not influence the Tribune’s journalism. A complete list of supporters can be found here.
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Tagged: 2026 elections, redistricting
Natalia Contreras, Votebeat Texas Reporter, can be reached at ncontreras@votebeat.org. She covers election administration and voting access in partnership with The Texas Tribune and has a rich history of reporting on a variety of topics, including local governance.
