Fort Worth City Council opposes Tarrant County redistricting plan amid controversy

Tarrant County redistricting sparked heated discussions at the Grand Prairie City Council meeting on May 20, 2025. The council considered a resolution urging Tarrant County officials to maintain the current voter precinct maps, opposing any mid-census redistricting based on 2020 census data.

The resolution comes in light of a recent vote by the Tarrant County Commissioners Court to retain the Public Interest Legal Foundation for legal advice on potential redistricting ahead of the 2026 elections. Council members expressed concerns that altering the precinct maps could disenfranchise voters in the Grand Prairie area, particularly those in the Tarrant County section of the city.

Harold Willis, a council member, emphasized the importance of keeping the existing districts intact, citing a recent Fort Worth Star Telegram report that revealed the Fort Worth City Council's own opposition to Tarrant County's redistricting plans. He criticized the motivations behind the proposed changes, labeling them as a form of gerrymandering influenced by a pro-Republican agenda.

Willis urged fellow council members to stand up against what he described as a political maneuver that could undermine representation for Grand Prairie residents. He highlighted the need for equitable representation, pointing out that the tax contributions from the Grand Prairie area should not be overlooked in the redistricting process.

The council's resolution aims to send a clear message to Tarrant County officials: maintain the current voter district maps to ensure fair representation for all residents. As discussions continue, the implications of this redistricting debate will be closely watched, particularly as it relates to the upcoming elections.