Breaking: NAACP, Lawyers Committee Sue Texas Over Racially Discriminatory Electoral Map, Violation of Voting Rights Act

The NAACP, the nation's largest and most influential civil rights organization, filed a lawsuit today in Texas, following the passage of a new electoral map that strips Black voters of their political power.  

"Filed in partnership with the Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, the lawsuit contends that Texas has engaged in racial gerrymandering to prevent Black voters from electing candidates of their choice." 

"The state of Texas is only 40 percent white, but white voters control over 73 percent of the state's congressional seats," said Derrick Johnson, President and CEO of the NAACP. "It's quite obvious that Texas's effort to redistrict mid-decade, before next year's midterm elections, is racially motivated. The state's intent here is to reduce the members of Congress who represent Black communities, and that, in and of itself, is unconstitutional." 

Since the Voting Rights Act was adopted, courts have found the state of Texas has been found to have discriminated against Black and/or Brown citizens after every cycle of redistricting. 

"We now see just how far extremist leaders are willing to go to push African Americans back toward a time when we were denied full personhood and equal rights," said NAACP Texas President Gary Bledsoe. "We call on Texans of every background to recognize the dangers of this moment. Our democracy depends on ensuring that every person is counted fully, valued equally, and represented fairly. We are prepared to fight this injustice at every level. Our future depends on it." 

"Racial gerrymandering is not a new tactic in Texas' playbook. The only difference this time is the racism is partially masquerading as partisanship. These maps take things from bad to worse, amplifying the profound injustice already experienced by Black communities and other communities of color in Texas who are simply seeking a voice and representation in politics and in their own futures," said Damon T. Hewitt, president and executive director of the Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law. "The Trump administration told Texas in no uncertain terms to create illegal, discriminatory maps, and Texas actively carried out the mandate. This is an intentionally harmful and discriminatory effort, and we must call it out as such. Black and Brown voters in Texas deserve better. They are legally and constitutionally entitled to fair representation. These maps do the opposite, and they must not stand." 

At this time, the NAACP is urging California, New York, and all other states to act immediately by redistricting and passing new, lawful, and constitutional electoral maps. We must counter Texas' unconstitutional move and ensure that if all else fails, Black Americans still have a voice in Congress. 

From the NAACP's landmark victory in the Supreme Court in 1954 with Brown v. Board of Education, all the way to today, the NAACP continues to fight for democracy in court.  

Recently, our lawyers acted swiftly to sue against Trump's unconstitutional executive order that would disenfranchise millions of voter, and  filed a brief against Trump's executive order that violates the 14th Amendment by attempting to strip birthright citizenship from children born in the United States. 

In addition to legal actions — and in response to ongoing measures taken by extremists nationwide to disenfranchise Black citizens and oppress our right to vote — the NAACP also recently launched an unprecedented effort to recruit volunteers to knock doors and register voters more than a year before the 2026 election.  

Announced exclusively by CBS News on August 11th, the NAACP is hosting a series of town halls to mobilize Black voters around the country. 

"It may still seem far away, but the 2026 midterm elections will determine whether our democracy still holds on or whether the people surrender their power to a king," NAACP President Derrick Johnsontold CBS News. "We've got to start organizing early." 

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About NAACP   

The NAACP advocates, agitates, and litigates for the civil rights due to Black America. Our legacy is built on the foundation of grassroots activism by the biggest civil rights pioneers of the 20th century and is sustained by 21st century activists. From classrooms and courtrooms to city halls and Congress, our network of members across the country works to secure the social and political power that will end race-based discrimination. That work is rooted in racial equity, civic engagement, and supportive policies and institutions for all marginalized people. We are committed to a world without racism where Black people enjoy equitable opportunities in thriving communities.   

NOTE: The Legal Defense Fund – also referred to as the NAACP-LDF - was founded in 1940 as a part of the NAACP, but now operates as a completely separate entity.