Texas Faces NAACP Lawsuit Over Alleged Racial Gerrymandering in New Congressional Maps

The NAACP, joined by the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, has filed a federal lawsuit against Texas over its newly redrawn congressional maps. The suit, targeting Governor Greg Abbott (R) and Secretary of State Jane Nelson (R), argues that the redistricting plan intentionally weakens the voting power of Black communities and other voters of color.

The lawsuit contends that the new maps violate both the U.S. Constitution and Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act, which prohibits voting practices that discriminate based on race or ethnicity. Plaintiffs are seeking a preliminary injunction to block the maps from taking effect before the next congressional election.

Gary Bledsoe, president of the Texas NAACP, called the maps a deliberate attempt to reverse decades of civil rights progress.

“Extremist leaders are pushing African Americans back toward a time when we were denied full personhood and equal rights,” Bledsoe said. “Our democracy depends on ensuring that every person is counted fully, valued equally and represented fairly.”

The new map, passed by Texas Republicans, is projected to expand GOP representation in Congress by five seats. Despite the state’s demographic shifts, with white Texans now making up just 40% of the population, they control more than 70% of congressional districts.

Civil rights groups say the new map dilutes the voting strength of communities of color, particularly Black and Latino voters.

Derrick Johnson, NAACP President and CEO, stated, “It’s quite obvious that Texas’s effort to redistrict mid-decade... is racially motivated.”

Democrats, holding minority status in both chambers of the state legislature, have limited power to stop the legislation.

However, legal action is poised to be a primary line of resistance, with several lawsuits expected in the coming months.