Democratic-aligned nonprofit, civil rights groups ready to sue over Texas congressional map

Several Democratic-aligned and civil rights groups are readying to sue over a proposed set of new congressional lines in Texas as lawmakers in the Lone Star State look to advance a GOP-friendly map ahead of 2026.

Several groups including the National Redistricting Foundation, the National Democratic Redistricting Committee’s nonprofit arm; Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund (MALDEF) and League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) filed a motion on Monday asking a federal court in Texas to set aside time for a hearing once the groups file a preliminary injunction that looks to block the Texas House map from taking effect.

The filing also asks the court to “vacate, as to the state legislative challenges, its August 11, 2025, order suspending the deadline for submitting proposed findings of fact and conclusions of law.”

“The map is egregiously unconstitutional, and its implementation must be immediately enjoined,” the filing said. “Plaintiffs intend to expeditiously supplement their complaints and move for a preliminary injunction on account of the new map’s blatant constitutional violations.”

The Hill has reached out to spokespeople for Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton (R) for comment.

Texas Republicans are looking to pass a new House map ahead of 2026 amid pressure from the White House, with a goal of picking up a handful of new seats next year. Texas Democrats fled the state during the first special session to deny Republicans the minimum number of lawmakers needed to conduct business.

But they finally returned to the state this week during Republicans’ second special session, paving the way for the GOP to pass a new gerrymandered map.

In response, Democrats in California are moving forward to pass their own gerrymandered map; the new map is expected to go before voters for a vote this November. The map in California is looking to neutralize the gains Texas Republicans expect to make with their new map.

Proposed congressional lines have so far only advanced in Texas House and Texas Senate committees, but the motion from the groups underscores opponents getting ready to quickly challenge proposed maps in court.

“Despite bipartisan opposition among Texans, the Texas Legislature is pushing forward a congressional map that includes even fewer minority opportunity districts than the current discriminatory map, which is already being challenged in court for violating Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act,” said Marina Jenkins, executive director of the National Redistricting Foundation, in a statement.

“Should Governor Abbott sign the new gerrymander into law, the NRF will quickly challenge that map in federal court, and the court must be prepared to act swiftly to intervene and protect the rights of Texans,” she added.