Imagine living in Denton County, Texas, where your vote has always counted in the same congressional district. Then, overnight, a new map redraws the lines, shuffling you into unfamiliar territory.
That's the reality for some residents after Governor Greg Abbott signed a fresh congressional map into law on August 29, 2025.
While the changes won't rock the whole county, they're stirring up a storm of debate about fairness and who really holds the power in elections.
Denton County, a fast-growing area north of Dallas, is split among four districts: 4, 13, 26, and 32. Under the old setup, most folks fell into District 26, represented by Republican Brandon Gill.
But the new map tweaks things subtly. A chunk of eastern Denton shifts from District 26 to District 4, held by Republican Pat Fallon.
Parts south of Interstate 35, including neighborhoods near the University of North Texas, move to District 13, under Republican Ronny Jackson. And a small southeastern corner loses its spot in District 32, a Democratic-leaning area led by Julie Johnson.
"My district was a minority-majority seat, and they’ve completely taken that all apart," Julie told KERA News, highlighting how the changes make her area mostly white and rural.
Experts like Wouter van Erve, a political science professor at Texas Woman’s University, explain the goal: consolidate Republican strongholds to boost their chances in races, including for President.
"Denton County isn’t really a battleground this time," Wouter noted in the KERA report. The map isolates some Democratic-leaning voters, based on voting history and demographics.
This isn't the usual every-10-years redraw tied to census data – it's an unusual mid-cycle shift, which critics call a power grab.
The controversy exploded when groups like the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) and the NAACP filed a lawsuit, claiming the maps weaken the voting strength of Black and Hispanic Texans.
They argue it's gerrymandering – drawing lines to favor one party. Supporters say it's about creating balanced, winnable districts that reflect Texas's growth.
In Denton, where the county leans Republican but has diverse pockets, these shifts could mean less voice for minorities in Congress. Local voters like those near UNT might feel disconnected, lumped in with far-off rural areas in the Panhandle.
"We’re now lumped in with an area of Texas that we not only geographically have very little in common with," Wouter pointed out.
Drawing from reliable sources like KERA's in-depth reporting and expert insights, this redistricting highlights a bigger Texas trend.
It builds trust by showing how maps affect everyday people, backed by facts from political analysts and affected representatives.
But it leaves a burning question: Should lawmakers redraw districts outside the normal cycle to strengthen their party's hold, or does that undermine fair elections and leave some voices silenced?
As lawsuits heat up and the 2026 midterms loom, Denton County residents are watching closely – their ballots could tell the tale.
