Tarrant County’s proposed redistricting plan, spearheaded by County Judge Tim O’Hare, is drawing intense opposition from Arlington Mayor Jim Ross and a coalition of other city leaders. The redrawn district map, set for a vote on June 3, could split Arlington into three separate precincts foa move critics argue is being rushed without sufficient public input or legal clarity.
Mayor Ross, who initiated a formal letter of opposition signed by nine other Tarrant County mayors, said the plan lacks both transparency and updated data. The mayors are concerned that the proposed changes could potentially violate state laws and federal voting rights protections.
“I’ve never seen a redistricting process go this quickly without any significant community involvement whatsoever,” Ross told. He added that a law firm in Austin reviewed the process and raised concerns about violations of both Texas law and the Voting Rights Act. The findings prompted him to rally other mayors in signing the letter addressed to Judge O’Hare.
Ross reportedly reached out to O’Hare ahead of the public statement, requesting that the proposal be delayed to allow for a more collaborative review. According to Ross, the request was denied, with O’Hare stating, “I’ll see you June 3rd.”
While Judge O’Hare has stated that redistricting is necessary due to demographic shifts, Ross argues that the supporting data is outdated, relying on census data from five years ago. He contends that if the demographic shifts were indeed significant, more recent and comprehensive data would be required to justify any boundary changes especially those that might impact minority communities.
“There’s other ways of getting that demographic data to prove your point, but you need that data in order to show that you’re not discriminating against minority groups. That’s required by the Voting Rights Act,” Ross said. The debate has now drawn national attention. U.S. Congressman Marc Veasey joined other elected officials in denouncing the proposed map, calling it unlawful and discriminatory.
Despite the outcry, the Tarrant County Commissioners Court remains scheduled to vote on the new maps on June 3. The court previously voted 3–2 in early April to contract with the Public Interest Legal Foundation for redistricting consultation another decision that has faced criticism for lack of transparency. Legal challenges are expected if the current plan is approved. Meanwhile, residents and advocacy groups are closely watching how this potentially transformative decision will unfold.
