The new Texas redistricting maps have been halted pending a court ruling.

According to Bonnie Bruce, who is the Chief of Staff for Representative Dist. 65 Burt Solomons, multiple lawsuits were filed on the House of Representatives and Senate redistricting maps. Solomons was also the chairman for the redistricting committee.

Bruce said the lawsuits were filed for a variety of reasons such as a violation of the voting rights act and whether or not the maps complied with county line rules.

Redistricting areas have also been viewed as controversial because of a perceived lack of minority representation, giving Republicans more representation in Texas.

The new redistricting maps were supposed to go into effect Oct. 1, however, with the current lawsuits several court dates have been set to review the filed lawsuits.

A court in San Antonio was concerned that the courts in Washington D.C. would not make a ruling before the prospective maps were implemented so they too have filed a lawsuit requesting preclearance as deadlines to file for a place on the ballot are nearing, according to Bruce.

The deadline to file for a place on the ballot is Nov. 12, she said.

The lawsuit from San Antonio asked whether or not Texas could have preclearance or if Texas could push back its filing date.

Bruce said that since there has been no ruling whether or not the maps are illegal, the Secretary of State can not grant preclearance or the ability to push back the filing date.

A fear among candidates is that if the filing date was pushed back, the primaries would still be set for the same date, which would shorten the candidates campaigning time frame.

The redistricting occurred because of increased population growth in Texas, especially the Montgomery County area.

Montgomery County was previously split between House Districts (HD), 15, 16 and 18. District 18 moved further north with the new proposed maps. Representative Dist. 15 Rob Eissler represented Magnolia and The Woodlands. With the new redistricting maps HD15 will now cut off at FM 2978 toward the east due to the increased population growth in Montgomery County.

Magnolia will now be encompassed by HD3, a newly-created seat. MISD School Board President Cecil Bell Jr. is running for the HD3 seat.

HD3 covers parts of Montgomery County and all of Waller County.

Bruce said that HD3 is enacted, but not implemented by the Secretary of State pending court dates. So, at the present time, Eissler still represents the Magnolia area.

Those that have filed lawsuits have submitted new maps. The state will file an advisory to the court with any objectives they have to the maps on Oct. 24. Bruce said there will be a hearing on Oct. 31.

A court hearing for senate maps is scheduled for Nov. 2.

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