The state has filed with the U.S. Supreme Court its appeal of this week’s federal district court ruling invalidating two congressional districts (CD27 and CD35). The state informed the district court that there would be no special session on redistricting and requested a stay from the district court pending appeal, which would ensure that the current congressional map could be used for the 2018 election.
The district court denied that request, stating that is has not enjoined use of the current map for 2018. Instead, the court directed parties to “proceed with preparations for the remedial hearing as previously directed.” The remedial hearing is scheduled to begin on September 5.
In a statement, Atty. Gen. Ken Paxton said, “Judges should get out of the business of drawing maps.” He said the current congressional districts, which were based on a prior court-adopted plan, “are lawful, and we will aggressively defend the maps on all fronts.” The state may seek a stay from the U.S. Supreme Court.
The court’s ruling, and the state’s appeal, apply only to the state’s congressional plan. The state House plan’s status remains unresolved.
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