Texas Supreme Court Returns Galveston Voters To Their March Map

GALVESTON—The Texas Supreme Court has directed Galveston County to use the same precinct boundaries in November that voters used during the March primaries, restoring the traditional election feature in which a district stays in approximately the same place until voting is complete.

County commissioners approved new boundaries on June 29 for commissioner, constable and justice-of-the-peace precincts. The change came after candidates had run in the primaries under the previous map. A constable and two residents asked the court to block the replacement lines for the general election.

Galveston County argued that state law lets commissioners redraw precincts “from time to time.” County Judge Mark Henry had described the change as a more efficient arrangement that would help maintain Republican control. The court found no historical precedent or valid legal authority for changing maps between the two halves of an election.

State law requires election administration to be uniform and consistent. The unsigned opinion said the primary and corresponding general election form one election for that purpose, despite the several months conveniently available between them for cartographic revision.

The county may try to use the new lines after November, although separate lawsuits challenging them remain pending. For this cycle, voters will select candidates inside the districts those candidates actually entered. The map has been ordered to observe the election calendar.