“This redistricting push is not about fairness or better representation — it’s about suppressing the voices of communities of color,” said Christine Chen, executive director of APIAVote. “We’re witnessing a coordinated effort to redraw political maps to benefit those already in power, at the expense of democratic integrity.”

The most aggressive redistricting battle is currently unfolding in Texas. Governor Greg Abbott is advancing a proposal that would eliminate five Democratic-held districts — two of which include some of the most AAPI-populated areas in the state. The proposed maps would dissect communities in places like Southwest Houston and Sugar Land, weakening the growing political influence of AAPI residents. In a move to delay the vote and prevent the maps from advancing, Texas Democrats have fled the state, denying the legislature a quorum. Governor Abbott has responded by threatening to expel and arrest the absent legislators, though the legality of such actions remains in question.

This morning, the conflict escalated: Senator John Cornyn formally requested FBI assistance in locating and returning those legislators scattered across the country. The FBI has reportedly agreed to help locate the absent lawmakers, though not to apprehend them. The move marks a troubling intrusion of federal law enforcement into a state political battle. The FBI, as an agency, should remain independent and free from entanglement in partisan or state-level disputes to preserve its credibility and integrity.

APIAVote's local Texas partners remain committed to standing against the unprecedented redistricting maps and fighting for fair representation for all.

This is not an isolated case. Republican lawmakers in Missouri have confirmed that the Trump administration is eyeing at least one blue-leaning district in their state for redrawing. While state laws on redistricting vary, there is no federal restriction preventing mid-decade redistricting — leaving many states vulnerable to highly politicized efforts to change maps for partisan gain. Debates are also emerging amongst the GOP in Florida and Ohio, as the precedent for mid-cycle redistricting gains traction. Democrats have responded with their own redistricting plans in California and Illinois, signaling that both parties are gearing up for a high-stakes battle over congressional maps — one that could reshape the political landscape well before the next census.

The consequences of these efforts are far-reaching. Communities of color are being split apart, their representation diluted for partisan advantage. Voter engagement is undermined when people feel their voices no longer matter in a system that manipulates district lines to preordain outcomes. And political power becomes increasingly disconnected from the will of the people when maps are drawn not to reflect population changes, but to eliminate electoral competition.

“This is not about representation — it’s an abuse of power disguised as redistricting,” said Christine Chen. “When governors and lawmakers redraw maps just because they don’t like election outcomes, they’re rewriting the rules of democracy. Communities deserve to choose their representatives— not the other way around.”

APIAVote urges Congress to pass federal protections against partisan redistricting and calls on state leaders to reject maps that silence their constituents. We encourage the public to get involved in redistricting advocacy efforts and to stand up for fair representation.

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About APIAVote: Asian and Pacific Islander American Vote (APIAVote) is the nation’s leading nonpartisan nonprofit dedicated to engaging, educating, and empowering Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) communities to strengthen and sustain a culture of civic engagement. See our website for more information at https://www.apiavote.org/