Texas Supreme Court Rejects Removing Democrats Who Left State to Block Redistricting Vote

The court opinion stated that the issue was already addressed when Republicans issued fines against the missing lawmakers.

The Texas Capitol is lit during a session in the State Senate, in Austin on Aug. 22, 2025. Sergio Flores/Reuters

The Texas Supreme Court on May 15 rejected a request to remove more than 50 Democratic lawmakers from their seats after they fled the state to block a redistricting vote in 2025.

The court opinion suggested judicial intervention was not needed because it was already addressed when the Republican-majority Legislature issued fines against the missing lawmakers.