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Willacy County commissioners table precinct-boundary review as staff seeks outside counsel
Summary
Willacy County Commissioners Court on March 24 discussed whether precinct boundaries must be redrawn under Texas Election Code §42.031, noted an April 30 submission deadline for any federal review, and voted to table action until a letter of engagement from outside counsel can be reviewed.
Willacy County Commissioners Court met in a special session March 24, 2026, at 10 a.m. at the county director’s office in Rainville to consider whether county election precinct boundaries need adjustment under Texas Election Code §42.031. The court discussed engaging an outside law firm to calculate precinct populations, prepare maps and, if necessary, submit them for federal review, and then voted to table the matter until a letter of engagement is available.
A staff member told commissioners the election code requires the court to review precinct boundaries “every 2 years,” and that the county must have any maps submitted by April 30 to allow time for federal review before changes take effect the following year. The staff member said the elections office had reported about 25 provisional ballots during the recent canvass, an indicator that precinct populations may have shifted and warrant review.
Commissioners asked how detained or incarcerated populations are treated for redistricting counts. The staff member said the population of a facility is calculated as part of residency totals and that a third-party law firm would determine whether including that population requires map changes. The staff member also referenced a November 19, 2025 Attorney General opinion that offers guidance on the commissioners court’s authority to select outside counsel, and clarified that the county attorney does not unilaterally decide which firm to hire.
Given that no letter of engagement or fee terms had been received from the recommended San Antonio firm (identified in the meeting as Mr. Reynaldo Rios’ firm), the court moved to postpone action so members could review an engagement letter and fee structure before authorizing work. The motion to table agenda item 3 (and subitems 3a and 3b) passed on a voice vote.
The court then entered executive session to consult with legal counsel about potential real-estate easements and right-of-way conveyances connected to water projects; upon returning to open session the chair announced no action was taken on items 4–6 and the court approved the action discussed under item 7. The meeting ended after a unanimous voice vote to adjourn.
What’s next: Staff said it will continue outreach to the recommended firm and bring an engagement letter back to the court for consideration; the court noted the county’s April 30 deadline for map submission if redraws are required.
