FORT WORTH, TX – Today, on behalf of the League of Women Voters of Tarrant County (LWV Tarrant County) and League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) Fort Worth Council 4568, the Texas Civil Rights Project -- along with pro bono counsel Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP -- filed a lawsuit in Tarrant County district court against County Judge Tim O’Hare, Tarrant County, and the Tarrant County Commissioners Court.
On June 3, 2025, over the objections of hundreds of county residents, Tarrant County engaged in unprecedented and unnecessary mid-decade redistricting that reduced the electoral power of Black and Latino voters.
The lawsuit filed today asserts: (1) this secretive rushed process violated the Texas Open Meetings Act; (2) County Judge O’Hare and the majority of the Commissioners Court violated the Texas Constitution by failing to consider the convenience of the people in redistricting; (3) the redistricting violates Texas anti-discrimination laws by burdening the right to vote of Black and Latino voters; and (4) it was done with racially discriminatory purpose in violation of the Texas Constitution.
"In Tarrant County, a county with more residents of color than white residents, the Tarrant County Commissioners adopted a precinct map that dilutes the power of those residents of color, over the objections of the community," said Janet Mattern, president of the League of Women Voters of Tarrant County. "This is illegal and is something the League will not stand for. Instead of maintaining the two majority-community-of-color precincts, the commissioners drew only one, discriminating against Black and Latino residents and limiting their ability to elect candidates of their choice. We are proud to join this lawsuit to fight against voter suppression and racial discrimination in redistricting to protect fair representation for our entire community."
"The Tarrant County Commissioner Court's rushed and anti-democratic attempt to adopt a new, racially discriminatory map is an example of the unnecessary and harmful mid-cycle redistricting trend that has begun around the country,” said Marcia Johnson, chief of activation and justice at the League of Women Voters of the US. “When such actions arise, it is important and necessary that the League and our partners hold the government accountable at every level to prevent unjust and illegal power grabs that harm people. We are proud that Leagues like LWV Tarrant County are standing up to racial gerrymandering and voter suppression whenever it occurs."
“Tarrant County is one of the fastest growing and most diverse counties in Texas,” said Nina Oishi, Voting Rights Staff Attorney at TCRP. “Redistricting should reflect the people, not silence them. We stand with LULAC Council 4568 and LWV Tarrant County to end racially discriminatory maps that disenfranchise Tarrant County’s Black and Latino voters.”
"As president of LULAC Council 4568, the oldest active council in Fort Worth, I am deeply concerned and disappointed with the Tarrant County Commissioners court vote to redistrict commissioner precincts,” said Alberto Govea, President of LULAC Council. “First, this is not a Census year during which a review is commonplace. In fact, we are at least five years away from that. In addition, I and most minority voters in Tarrant County interpret the new map as a scheme to disenfranchise minority voter, which steals the ability for minority voters to vote for someone that understands and lives in their community. This, I fear, will lead to the communities of color losing services that are needed."
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About The League of Women Voters of Tarrant County
The League of Women Voters of Tarrant County is a nonpartisan, grassroots civic organization that encourages informed and active participation in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues, and influences public policy through education and advocacy. With over 100 years of experience, the League is one of America’s oldest and most trusted civic nonprofit organizations.
About Texas Civil Rights Project
The Texas Civil Rights Project is boldly serving the movement for equality and justice in and out of the courts. We use our tools of litigation and legal advocacy to protect and advance the civil rights of everyone in Texas, and we partner with communities across the state to serve the rising movement for social justice. We undertake our work with a vision of a Texas in which all communities can thrive with dignity, justice and without fear.
About LULAC Council 4568
LULAC Council 4568 has operated in Tarrant County since 1995. The organization conducts civic engagement training, voter registration drives, and voter turnout campaigns. Additionally, its members raise annual funds for social programs, including a Christmas program for area children and their families. We also collect school supplies for our annual Back-to-School program and promote reading through our Fiesta de Libros book giveaways. Our goal is to ensure the Latino community in Tarrant County has equal access in local government and other life domain areas.