Tarrant County hearing draws packed crowd as residents call proposed redistricting a racial gerrymander

Tarrant County residents filled a public hearing to oppose five proposed precinct maps that would redraw the county commissioners’ boundaries, with Precinct 1 Commissioner Roderick Miles Jr. and dozens of residents saying the process is opaque and aimed at diluting minority voting strength.

“This redistricting process is not representative of who Tarrant County is. It's not fair and it's not transparent, and it is certainly not rooted in any genuine desire to serve the people,” said Commissioner Roderick Miles Jr., Tarrant County Commissioner, Precinct 1.

The hearing centered on five map options publicly posted on the county website and on whether the mid‑decade change is justified. Speakers raised three recurring concerns: that the maps were drawn to advantage particular political interests, that the process lacked sufficient public data and time for review, and that the changes would shift offices, maintenance facilities and county services across precinct lines.

Miles said three of the five proposed maps remove Lake Como from Precinct 1 and would move large stretches of county roads, a maintenance facility and one of his constituency offices into the newly drawn Precinct 2. He warned those shifts would carry hidden costs for staff, facility access and daily operations and said residents should examine the county's online redistricting materials. “If you've historically…