Texas Democrats are planning to leave the state to prevent Republicans from redrawing voting districts in a way that could give the GOP more power. This move comes as lawmakers face a special session called by Governor Greg Abbott, aimed at changing district maps in a state that is already strongly Republican.
According to Politico, dozens of Texas Democrats are set to flee to Illinois, a state known for its own partisan gerrymandering, to break quorum. They believe they lack the votes to stop the redistricting through normal means. In a statement, they expressed their determination to fight against what they describe as an assault on democracy, saying they refuse to stand by while millions of Black and Latino voters are silenced.
The Democrats’ decision follows a difficult two weeks during which many Texans were mourning the loss of over 130 lives due to severe floods. They criticized Abbott and the Republican leadership for prioritizing political maneuvering over disaster relief. The Democrats accused Abbott of using the tragedy as a cover for his agenda, stating that they would not allow relief efforts to be held hostage to what they call a "Trump gerrymander."
This isn’t the first time Texas Democrats have resorted to such tactics. In 2021, they fled the state to block a controversial election bill. That time, the bill passed while they were gone but could not proceed until they returned to achieve a quorum.
Governor Abbott has previously threatened to take action against lawmakers who leave the state. In 2021, he suggested he would veto funding for the legislature if they abandoned their responsibilities. He also stated that if the legislators returned, law enforcement would be dispatched to bring them back to the Capitol.
Republican state Representative Brian Harrison has echoed Abbott’s past sentiments, urging the Speaker of the House to issue a call to bring the fleeing Democrats back and suggesting they should be arrested for their actions. He criticized the situation as a failure of leadership by Austin Republicans.
As the situation unfolds, it highlights the ongoing battle over voting rights and district representation in Texas, a state where political tensions are running high.
