Texas state House Republicans have voted to issue civil arrest warrants for absent Democratic lawmakers who fled the state to prevent GOP leaders from redrawing the congressional map. The move comes as a step-up pressure on the Democrats to return, with Governor Greg Abbott threatening to try to expel them from their posts.
The Texas Democrats have been holding meetings in Chicago since Sunday, trying to stop Republicans from overhauling the state’s map to give themselves five more safe GOP seats. Most of the Democrats are located in suburban Chicago and beyond the jurisdiction of Texas authorities.
Abbott has cited a 2021 opinion from state Attorney General Ken Paxton that courts can determine that Democrats have abandoned their duties and given up their jobs, allowing him to call special elections to replace them. However, legal scholars say it’s unclear whether Abbott has the authority to make such a move.
“This is not a unilateral action of the governor,” said University of Notre Dame law professor Derek Muller. “Even if you go to court, you’re going to have to make a showing that I think it’s going to be tough to make.”
The escalating dispute has sparked retaliation from Democrats in other states, with California lawmakers threatening to hold special elections and Ohio Republicans planning to redraw their map soon.
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker said he was considering all options in his state, while New York Governor Kathy Hochul vowed to redraw her state’s congressional map as soon as possible. The situation highlights the growing partisan tensions over redistricting, with both parties vying for an advantage in the upcoming midterm elections.
Source: https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2025/08/04/texas-democrats-redistricting-maps-abbott-trump