Vallejo: They’re Redrawing Texas. South Texans Deserve a Say.

While families in the Hill Country are still facing the devastation from deadly floods, lawmakers in Austin are redrawing political maps behind closed doors. Not to help, but to hold onto power.

This is not the usual once-a-decade redistricting process. It is a rushed, mid-decade effort happening during a special legislative session with almost no public notice or transparency. The push to include redistricting came after pressure from Donald Trump demanding more favorable maps. Even Governor Greg Abbott hesitated to include it at first, knowing the process is unpopular, legally questionable, and damaging to public trust.

I have seen firsthand what gerrymandering does. As a former congressional nominee in District TX-15, I experienced the impact of maps drawn to benefit politicians instead of people. Our communities were split apart. Our voices were diluted. People felt powerless and lost hope. But I am not just a former candidate. I am a mother and a small business owner. This process affects how our children are represented, whether our health clinics are funded, how infrastructure is prioritized, and whether our neighborhoods matter to the people making decisions in Austin or Washington.

This is not just about Democrats versus Republicans. When politicians manipulate voting maps, everyone loses. Families across the political spectrum are impacted when roads go unrepaired, hospitals are underfunded, and schools do not get what they need to educate and prepare our future workforce. Communities like ours in South Texas know what it means to be overlooked, and we are at risk of being ignored again for years to come.

There are only three public hearings scheduled across the entire state this week. This may be our only chance to speak up:

Austin – Wednesday, July 24 at 2 PM
Texas Capitol, Room E1.030

Houston – Friday, July 26 at 11 AM
University of Houston, Student Center

Arlington – Sunday, July 28 at 5 PM
UT Arlington, Rosebud Theatre

You do not need to be a policy expert to make your voice heard. Tell lawmakers what fair representation means to you and your family. Arrive early to testify in person or submit comments online at:
comments.house.texas.gov

If you want to do more, the Texas Civil Rights Project is helping community members write public comments, prepare testimony, and organize statewide action. You can join their efforts at:
https://secure.everyaction.com/n9GMQ0Qo9Ea-rJG2e8pxKw2

We are not invisible, but we are being erased. This is a pivotal moment to speak up and fight back for our communities, our dignity, and the future our children deserve.

Editor’s Note: The above guest column was penned by Michelle Vallejo, a former two-time Democratic nominee for Texas’s 15th Congressional District, a small business owner, and a community advocate from the Rio Grande Valley. She is a nonprofit board member, a new mom, and a longtime champion for fair representation and working families across South Texas.

The post Vallejo: They’re Redrawing Texas. South Texans Deserve a Say. appeared first on Rio Grande Guardian.