FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 2, 2025 Contact:
Texas Civil Rights Project, media@texascivilrightsproject.org
Tarrant County District Court Allows Discriminatory Map to Go Into Effect Despite Public Outcry
FORT WORTH, TX – On Wednesday, October 1, 2025, a Tarrant County district court judge denied a motion filed by the Texas Civil Rights Project (TCRP), along with pro bono counsel Willkie Farr G Gallagher LLP, on behalf of a coalition of nonprofit civil-rights plaintiffs, to stop Tarrant County from implementing a new, racially-discriminatory commissioners precinct map before the 2026 election.
On September 25, 2025, the Tarrant County district court held a two-hour hearing where community members shared testimony about the impact of this unlawful power grab.
Dozens of residents showed up, rallied by Alberto Govea, President of plaintiff organization LULAC Council 4568; Janet Mattern, President of plaintiff organization the League of Women Voters of Tarrant County; and other community leaders.
Ebony Turner, Precinct 2 resident and community leader, spoke on behalf of her splintered community, including Black and Latino voters who will be unable to elect a candidate of their choice in future elections.
Janet Mattern, President of the League of Women Voters of Tarrant County, who attended nearly every Commissioners Court meeting, shared her concerns about the lack of transparency and racial impact of the redistricting process.
Political science expert, Professor Mark P. Jones of Rice University, provided data showing that the new map—adopted by the Tarrant County Commissioners Court on June 3, 2025 in a rushed, opaque process—disparately silences the vote of Black and Latino residents in
Tarrant County. He concluded that race was a better predictor than partisanship of which voters were moved.
Tarrant County did not dispute the evidence provided by the witnesses at the hearing. Despite the testimonies and dozens of residents who attended in support, the judge issued a single paragraph order saying that the temporary injunction should be denied.
“We are extremely disappointed by this ruling, said Nina Oishi, TCRP Voting Rights Attorney. “Tarrant County residents showed up again and again to oppose this undemocratic redistricting despite consistent stonewalling by Defendant Tim O’Hare and Commissioners Krause and Ramirez. At the hearing, the district court heard the residents’ concerns and expert testimony that race predicted how voters were moved better than partisanship, but refused to vindicate the residents’ voting rights—rights they are entitled to under the Texas constitution and Texas laws. We will continue to stand with Tarrant County residents in this fight to ensure their voices are heard and that elected offcials work for the public, not themselves.”
“While I am disappointed with the ruling, I am grateful for all the community support in this action, especially from the Texas Civil Rights Project and our partner the League of Women Voters of Tarrant County,” said Alberto Govea, President of LULAC Council 4568. “We will continue our efforts to ensure all voters count and matter.”
“Although we would have preferred a different outcome, we will continue our efforts to fight for democracy and empower voters in Tarrant County,” said Janet Mattern, president of the League of Women Voters of Tarrant County.
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 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 nonproflt organizations.
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.
