Republicans limit public testimony to 5 hours for 3 redistricting hearings. Public encouraged to register to testify remotely or to submit written testimony.
EL PASO, TEXAS — State Representative Vince Perez is urging constituents to participate in upcoming public hearings hosted by the Texas House Special Committee on Congressional Redistricting. The hearings—scheduled for Thursday, July 24 at 2:00 PM in Austin, Saturday, July 26 at 11:00 AM in Houston, and Monday, July 28 at 5:00 PM in Arlington—will provide an opportunity for the public to weigh in on Republican efforts to redraw Texas’ congressional districts mid-decade.
“Texas Republicans are moving swiftly to rig the political maps in a way that prevents Hispanic and Black voters across our state from being able to elect their fair share of representatives,” State Rep. Perez said. “Even though the Hispanic and Anglo populations are nearly equal in size, Anglos currently hold a two-to-one advantage in representation. Republicans have drawn legislative districts that allow Anglo voters to decide the outcome in 60% of them—and now, at President Trump’s direction, they’re aiming to push that number to 80%.”
Redistricting is the process of redrawing congressional and legislative district boundaries to reflect new population counts following the U.S. Census. However, amid fears of major loses in November 2026, Republicans are moving swiftly to rig more congressional elections in their favor by further segregating Hispanic and Black voters and effectively assigning them to other districts where Anglos will ultimately decide who will represent them for years to come.
“This is a deliberate attempt to ensure that the Anglo minority of voters continue have super majorities in the state and federal legislatures for decades to come,” Perez added. “Texas has extremely racially-segregated political boundaries. That’s why public input is more critical than ever—not because it will stop them, but because it sends a clear message: we are watching, we will not be silent.”
Rep. Perez emphasized that gerrymandering is not just a political tactic—it has devastating consequences for representation and democracy in Texas. It allows the government to assign representatives to the state’s majority population, while allowing for minority-rule. It is fundamentally contrary to democratic principles and undermines the concept of one-person, one-vote.
The hearings are open to the public, and individuals may sign up to provide oral testimony or submit written comments. Details for each hearing are as follows:
For those wishing to testify in person and submit written testimony, please being at least 1 extra printed copy of your written statement (in case it needs to be entered into the official record). Members of the public are asked to provide 22 copies total if they want the materials (e.g. maps, handouts) distributed to all committee members.
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Vince Perez is State Representative for House District 77 in El Paso. He serves on the influential House Ways and Means Committee as well the committees on Higher Education and Local, Consent, and Resolutions Calendars. He is the former El Paso County Commissioner for Precinct 3 and was named the 2016 County Leader of the Year by American City & County Magazine. He is a lifelong resident of El Paso's Mission Valley, where he lives with his dogs Whiskey, Lady, and Manchas.
State Representative Vince Perez proudly represents House District 77 in El Paso, Texas. He serves on several key House committees, including the Committee on Ways and Means, the Committee on Higher Education, and the Committee on Local and Consent Calendars. Additionally, he holds leadership roles as a Deputy Whip for the Democratic Caucus and is a member of the Democratic Policy and Steering Committee.
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