Texas' new congressional map

Political map chaos in Texas – Democrats could be arrested

A heated political battle has flared up in the US state of Texas. It all stems from the Republicans wanting to draw a new so-called congressional map that divides the state into electoral districts.

The new map could, according to NBC, lead to five new Republican congressional seats in the 2026 midterm elections. A scandal, say Democrats. A necessity, say Republicans, citing warnings from the Justice Department that the current map is unconstitutional.

To stop the new map, Democrats have left Texas in an attempt to prevent the state legislature from being able to hold a vote on the proposal. Republican Governor Greg Abbott has ordered the Department of Public Safety to seek out and arrest Democratic politicians. 

Texas Democrats rage against the map – flee to Chicago

Around 25 Texas Democrats have fled to a hotel in Chicago in an attempt to stop the new congressional map that Texas Republicans want to hammer through. The fact that the Democratic politicians have left their state is an attempt to prevent the parliament from gathering and hammering through the map changes.

Politico writes that the Democrats are preparing for a long battle and are planning how children and relatives can come and visit them.

At the same time, Texas Governor Greg Abbott has ordered the politicians who have left the state to be arrested.

The new map could, according to NBC, lead to five new Republican congressional seats in the 2026 midterm elections.