Galveston County redraws precincts between primary and general, sparking lawsuits

In June, Galveston County commissioners adopted a new precinct map designed to favor Republican candidates, a move that follows a 2021 map already under federal litigation for dismantling the county’s sole majority-minority district. The latest changes were made after the March primary, raising concerns that voters may cast ballots in November for offices they could not vote on earlier, and that minority voting power could be further eroded.

Voting-rights groups have sued in Texas state court, arguing the redistricting breaches state and federal equal-protection rules, while the county contends state law permits boundary adjustments between primary and general elections. The Texas Supreme Court now must decide the legality of the timing, and a federal judge has described the action as “highly suspicious.” If upheld, the precedent could allow other jurisdictions to alter precincts mid-cycle, potentially reshaping future elections. Local officials warn the rapid shift could create administrative errors as election staff scramble to reassign voters before the September ballot-mailing deadline.