Hunter, who started his career as a Democrat and is now one of the most senior members of the Texas House, brushed aside arguments that Abbott and the Legislature are abusing the political process by revisiting redistricting with no new census data or court order compelling them to do so.

Hundreds of people have signed up to comment at the first and only Texas House hearing on the Republican redistricting map. The map’s author defends it as partisan but legal.

Gov. Gavin Newsom said the process would include making new maps available to voters and asking them to approve the redistricting plan during a special election held on Tuesday, Nov. 4.

Gavin Newsom wants to ask voters in November to approve a series of new congressional maps to redistrict the state and combat a similar effort in Texas, he said Thursday. The special election would be held the first Tuesday of November,