Texas Democrats flee state to block redistricting vote

HOUSTON:

Dozens of Democrats in the Texas legislature faced threats of legal action on Monday after they fled the US state to block a redrawing of districts in Republicans’ favor ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.

The state’s Republican leaders, following a push by President Donald Trump, plan to shift congressional district borders such that five seats become likely to flip from Democratic control.

The contentious but legally permitted move, known as partisan gerrymandering, seeks to help Republicans retain control of the US House of Representatives in next year’s midterms, when the opposition party usually does more favorably.

State lawmakers draw legislative maps themselves in Texas, like in many other states across the country, but usually only do so once every 10 years following the national census. Democrats are in the minority in the Texas legislature, but enough members have fled the state to deprive the body of a quorum necessary to do business. AFP