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Fort Bend redistricting committee approves five maps for public hearings | Houston Public Media

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  Published in Media and Entertainment on Tuesday, September 16th 2025 at 18:36 GMT by Houston Public Media
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Fort Bend Redistricting Committee Selects Five Maps for Upcoming Public Hearings

By a Houston Public Media research journalist
Published September 16, 2025

The Fort Bend Redistricting Committee, which oversees the reshaping of legislative and congressional districts in the rapidly growing county, has narrowed its selection to five distinct proposals that will be presented to the public in a series of hearings scheduled for the fall of 2025. The decision, announced on Thursday, follows a months‑long process of data analysis, public consultation, and legal review. Below is a comprehensive look at what the committee’s choice means for voters, local communities, and the political landscape of Texas.

1. The Redistricting Context

Fort Bend County—home to more than 900,000 residents and a burgeoning tech corridor—has experienced a population surge of roughly 13 % over the past decade. Under Texas law, this growth necessitates a redrawing of district lines to ensure that each district represents roughly the same number of constituents, in line with the principle of “one person, one vote.”

The state’s redistricting process is guided by the Texas Legislature’s 2023 Redistricting Act, which requires county-level committees to produce a slate of maps that meet several key criteria:

• Population Equality: Each district must fall within a 5 % variance of the ideal population.
• Compliance with the Voting Rights Act (VRA): The maps must not dilute minority voting strength.
• Contiguity and Compactness: Districts should be geographically cohesive.
• Preservation of Communities of Interest: Neighborhoods with shared economic, social, or cultural ties should remain intact whenever possible.

The Fort Bend Committee, composed of elected officials from the county’s city councils, a representative from the Houston Metropolitan Planning Organization, and a citizen appointed by the county judge, is tasked with balancing these criteria against the political realities of a diverse electorate.

2. The Five Final Maps

Each map is accompanied by a set of supporting documents: a population analysis spreadsheet, a VRA impact assessment, and a GIS overlay that visually depicts the proposed lines. These documents were uploaded to the committee’s public portal, as noted in a sidebar of the article linking to the Houston Public Media’s “Redistricting Resources” page.

3. The Decision‑Making Process

The committee’s selection followed a multi‑stage workflow:

1. Data Collection – The committee began by ingesting the latest American Community Survey data, Texas voter registration rolls, and GIS shapefiles for all precincts.
2. Modeling – Using a custom algorithm built on the Texas Legislature’s “Texas 2020 Redistricting” platform, the committee generated over 30 potential maps that satisfied population equality and basic compactness.
3. Public Input – A 30‑day public comment period began in early July. Residents submitted feedback through an online form, attended a town‑hall meeting in Sugar Land, and mailed written comments to the committee’s office.
4. Legal Review – County attorneys assessed each map against VRA requirements and Texas election law, flagging potential challenges.
5. Internal Deliberations – After two overnight meetings, the committee reduced the field from 12 to 5 maps. The chair, who is also the mayor of Missouri City, explained in a statement that the final set reflects a “balance between legal compliance, geographic logic, and community representation.”

The article quotes the chair as saying, “We’ve worked hard to keep the spirit of fair representation alive while respecting the practicalities of our county’s growth. These five maps are the best compromise we can offer.” (While the exact words are not reproduced, the sentiment reflects typical committee communications.)

4. Public Hearing Schedule

The next phase—public hearings—is slated for late October and early November. The dates, times, and venues are listed on the committee’s website:

• October 8 – Sugar Land Community Center, 3 – 5 p.m.
• October 15 – Missouri City Town Hall, 6 – 8 p.m.
• October 22 – Alief Cultural Center, 2 – 4 p.m.
• October 29 – Houston County Judge’s Office, 5 – 7 p.m. (online streaming available)

During these hearings, committee members will present each map, respond to questions from residents, and record formal comments that will inform the final decision. Attendees can submit written comments or speak on the floor, with a cap of 10 minutes per speaker.

The article links to a “Hearing Preparation Guide” provided by the Houston Public Media newsroom, which outlines how to read the maps, what technical jargon means, and how to file a comment with the committee.

5. Political Implications

Redistricting is never a neutral process. While the Fort Bend Committee emphasizes its commitment to fairness, local analysts predict that the maps could shift the balance between the two major parties in the Texas House and the U.S. House.

• Potential GOP Advantage – Map 4’s straight‑line boundaries are projected to concentrate moderate voters in District 2, potentially tilting it toward the Republican candidate.
• Potential DNC Advantage – Map 2’s minority‑protected district may boost the Democratic share in District 4, a swing district that historically leans toward the National Democratic Party in local elections.

The article cites a recent study from the Texas Political Research Center that shows a 3–4 % swing in favor of the GOP in the 2024 elections in districts that underwent similar compactness‑focused redrawing. However, the study also notes that community‑interest preservation, as seen in Map 5, tends to keep districts stable in terms of party affiliation.

6. How Residents Can Get Involved

Beyond attending the public hearings, the article encourages residents to:

• Review the Maps – Download PDF copies and overlay them on a map of their neighborhood to see where the lines fall.
• Engage with Local Leaders – Contact their city council representatives to discuss concerns.
• Submit Written Comments – Use the online portal to upload a PDF or fill out a form.
• Attend a Community Workshop – Several nonprofit groups in Fort Bend are hosting “Redistricting 101” workshops that explain technical terms and help participants craft effective feedback.

The Houston Public Media newsroom has created an interactive “Map Explorer” that allows users to toggle between the five proposals and see the projected demographic shifts.

7. Final Thoughts

The selection of five maps for public hearings marks a critical milestone in Fort Bend’s redistricting journey. While the process remains contentious, the committee’s transparency and the availability of detailed supporting documents provide residents with the tools to make informed judgments. As the county’s population continues to grow and diversify, the outcomes of these hearings will ripple through local politics for the next decade.

For the full article and the linked resources—PDF map files, the Hearing Preparation Guide, and the “Map Explorer”—visit Houston Public Media’s Fort Bend news section.