Timeline: Recent Redistricting in Texas (2020s)
April 26, 2021
- U.S. Census Bureau releases apportionment totals: Texas population is ~29,145,505; Texas receives 2 additional congressional seats (for a total of 38). Redistricting Texas
August 12, 2021
- Census Bureau releases the more detailed population data by race/ethnicity needed for redistricting. Redistricting Texas
September 1, 2021
- The RedAppl system is updated for 2021 redistricting. Redistricting Texas
Late 2021 (Nov–Dec)
- Multiple lawsuits consolidated (including Wilson v. Texas, Voto Latino v. Scott, MALC v. Texas, Brooks v. Abbott, Texas State Conference of the NAACP v. Abbott, Fair Maps Texas Action Committee v. Abbott) into LULAC v. Abbott. The U.S. government also files United States v. Texas, alleging H.B. 1 and S.B. 6 (the 2021 congressional and state legislative map bills) violate Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act. Redistricting Texas+2Brennan Center for Justice+2
2022
- The legal challenges continue. Some cases are dismissed, others proceed. Meanwhile the 2021 map (used for the 2022 elections) remains in effect. All About Redistricting+1
2023
- Texas Legislature re-passes (ratifies) its state legislative maps: the House map (HB 1000) and Senate map (SB 375), which had been established earlier (in 2021) and reaffirmed in 2023 with little substantive change. All About Redistricting+1
May 21 – June 12, 2025
- Oral arguments (trial) are heard in LULAC v. Abbott in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas, El Paso Division. Redistricting Texas+2Brennan Center for Justice+2
July 9, 2025
- Governor Greg Abbott issues a proclamation calling a special session of the 89th Legislature to begin July 21, 2025. Among the items on the agenda is consideration of a revised congressional redistricting plan. Redistricting Texas+2The Texas Tribune+2
July 21, 2025
- First called special legislative session begins. The special session is tasked in part with drafting new congressional maps. Redistricting Texas+1
August 15, 2025
- The Legislature adjourns sine die (without having passed a new congressional redistricting plan in the first special session). Governor Abbott then issues a new proclamation calling a second special session to address the redistricting issue. Redistricting Texas+1
August 20, 2025
- Texas House passes H.B. 4, a congressional map (also called PlanC2333) in the second special session. The map is designed for elections beginning in 2026; it is very favorable to Republicans, aiming to shift several current Democratic-held U.S. House seats. Redistricting Texas+3Wikipedia+3AP News+3
August 23, 2025
- Texas Senate passes the new map. Wikipedia+1
August 25, 2025
- Plaintiffs in LULAC v. Abbott file motions to supplement earlier complaints to challenge the new map (H.B. 4, PlanC2333), including requests for preliminary and permanent injunctive relief. Redistricting Texas+2Brennan Center for Justice+2
August 29, 2025
- Governor Greg Abbott signs H.B. 4 (PlanC2333) into law. This becomes the active Texas congressional district map for the 2026 elections. Redistricting Texas+1
October 1, 2025
- A U.S. District Court hearing scheduled for October 1–10 in El Paso to consider whether the new map can be preliminarily blocked for use in the 2026 elections. Plaintiffs argue it violates the Voting Rights Act and/or the U.S. Constitution (racial gerrymandering / dilution of minority voting power). Redistricting Texas+2The Texas Tribune+2
