The weeks-long redistricting fight in Texas is finally over. On Monday, Democrats who had previously fled to Illinois returned to the Lone Star State, finally allowing Republicans’ redistricting efforts to move forward.

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From the Daily Wire:

The Texas Democratic legislators chose to leave the state rather than voting in the special session that was called for the redistricting vote, which expired Friday. After it expired, Governor Greg Abbott (R-TX) promptly called a second special session to finish the redistricting effort.

In a statement on X announcing the second special session, Abbott said, “There is critical work that is left undone. Texas will not back down from this fight. That’s why I am calling them back today to finish the job.”

The Texas House of Representatives convened at 12 p.m. CT Monday, which enabled the legislature to continue with the special session. The new congressional map could made official by as soon as the end of the week.

The Democrats fled the state in early August, retreating to Illinois to deny a quorum and stop the Texas state legislature from voting to adopt new congressional districts. This new map would remove five Democratic House seats, replacing them with five Republican seats. IFA covered this redistricting fight while it was happening.

Republicans have threatened fines and greater punishments ever since Democrats left the state. Governor Greg Abbott has sought to have some Democrats removed from office over the political stunt. The Daily Wire notes that it is unclear what steps will be taken and when punishments will be doled out.

In the meantime, the fight is far from over. Blue states, most notably California, are working to combat Texas’ redistricting with redistricting of their own. Additionally, Democratic state Representative Gene Wu, largely seen as the leader of the fleeing Democrats, said the who situation hasn’t phased him. He claimed Democrats returned to Texas “more dangerous to Republicans’ plans than when we left,” insisting the return to the state allows him and his fellow lawmakers “to build this legal record necessary to defeat this racist map in court.”

As the fight continues, let’s pray. Let’s pray for fair elections and congressional districts in every state!

What do you think of the Texas redistricting fight? Share your thoughts and prayers below.

(Excerpt from the Daily Wire. Photo Credit:​中華民國總統府 – https://www.flickr.com/photos/presidentialoffice/53840185586/, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=150094577