Fort Bend County redistricting set to go to vote on Monday
The redistricting meeting and vote on tap for Monday in a special Commissioners’ Court in Fort Bend County is flying below the radar for most residents.
The redistricting meeting and vote on tap for Monday in a special Commissioners’ Court in Fort Bend County is flying below the radar for most residents. Yet the vote to draw up voting maps differently will impact the lives of all county taxpayers.
“It’s about who is over your neighborhoods, who is over your roads, the future developments in the county,” said Jacob Lee, Chairman of the Citizens Redistricting Committee for the county.
The current maps went into effect January 1st 2022 following the 2020 census. The takeaway for many at the time is that maps were reengineered to further bolster a Democratic grip of the court.
However, a scandal and conviction came knocking in the form of Taral Patel, the former Chief of Staff for County Judge KP George. As a direct result of the Patel investigation, George was indicted on a misdemeanor and felony charges. George is set to go to trial in early 2026.
It should be noted, although he was indicted as a Democrat, George changed his party affiliation to Republican over the summer. He also has been pushing for redistricting which rarely happens in the middle of a decade.
The new maps according to Lee will produce greater balance, “Meaning that you’ll have two Republican commissioners and you’re going to have two Democrat commissioners,” said Lee.
Current Democratic Commissioner Dexter McCoy says it’s all a strategic play by those who have the numbers on their side, “The power of the court has shifted. And so they’re taking action because of that. This has nothing to do with righting a wrong,” said McCoy last week to KPRC 2 News.
Lee, who was appointed by Judge George says five maps submitted by the public will be examined before a final vote is cast.
While a change may become official it may not necessarily be permanent, “My understanding is the maps can be changed any time,” said Lee.
The redistricting meeting begins at 1 p.m. with a vote anticipated to follow after all potential maps are presented.
