This story has been updated with comments from Judge KP George and Commissioner Vincent Morales.
RICHMOND, Texas (Covering Katy News) — Fort Bend County commissioners approved new precinct boundaries Monday in a 3-2 party-line vote that Republicans said corrects illegal 2021 maps that failed to meet state and federal requirements and did not reflect the true nature of the county's political makeup. The meeting was heated, with County Judge KP George repeatedly slamming the gavel for order as commissioners clashed verbally.
Republicans vote for a new map, Democrats oppose
Republican Commissioners Andy Meyers and Vincent Morales and County Judge KP George voted for the new map. Democrats Grady Prestage and Dexter McCoy voted against it. The new map takes effect Jan. 1, 2026.
"Today Commissioners Court took action to correct what had been a flawed process that resulted in an illegal map that did not meet state and federal statutes," Meyers said. Meyers voted against the 2021 map and says the new map "corrects those deficiencies."
The 2021 redistricting map was presented to the public at the last minute. Republicans were not allowed to see the surprise map before it was distributed by Dexter McCoy, who worked for the County Judge at the time. McCoy later won a seat on Commissioners Court using the map which was drawn in a way that was demographically helpful to this campaign.
Fort Bend County
Then Chief of Staff for Judge KP George, Dexter McCoy, distributing the surprise 2021 map to commissioners Court. Republicans on the court had not seen the map before McCoy introduced it.
Legal concerns over 2021 redistricting map
An order was entered into the record with language describing the 2020-21 maps as "unlawful" due to concerns about race being used in drawing lines.
Democrats deny race was the primary factor in determining the 2021 boundaries, even though Judge George, a Democrat at the time, highlighted what he called "opportunity districts" for African Americans, South Asians and Hispanics when the map was approved. Democrats argue the new maps will invite legal challenges.
New map reflects county's 50-50 political split
The new precinct boundaries more accurately reflect the actual political makeup of Fort Bend County. The county is about 50% Democratic and 50% Republican. The map approved Monday will be evenly split, with two Democratic and two Republican precincts. The current map has three Democratic and one Republican precincts.
Commissioner Morales noted that it's been difficult getting to the point where the 2021 maps could be re-drawn to reflect the true political makeup of a county. In 2021 Democrats created a 3 to 1 political advantage even though the county is evenly split.
"It’s been a long, difficult process over these past four years, and at times it has been regretfully ugly, but doing what’s right for the citizens of our county has always been the correct, necessary, and proper outcome," Morales said. "Today, I was proud to vote for a fair and balanced redistricting map - one that protects two strong Republican precincts and ensures honest representation of this county's true makeup moving forward."
The redistricting effort followed Texas Rep. Matt Morgan, R-Richmond, sending a letter to commissioners stating that about one-fifth of the county's voting precincts did not meet the state's population requirements.
"All of our constituents deserve a map that represents the political makeup of the county," Meyers said. "That is what we have achieved."
2021 map drew commissioner out of his house
The 2021 map drew Meyers' home out of Precinct 3, a move Republicans called cold and calculated by the Democratic majority. The redistricting came as Meyers was providing end-of-life care to his wife, Janet, in their longtime Sugar Land home. She died shortly before the residency deadline would have forced her husband to choose between relocating and ending his career.
McCoy calls redistricting revenge
McCoy calls the redistricting effort a waste of taxpayer money driven by political revenge rather than legal necessity.
"These new maps fracture established communities and prioritize political gain over fair representation," McCoy said in a recent interview.
Meyers noted that 2021 redistricting moved 80% of county residents to different precincts, meaning they were represented by officials they never voted for.
Despite McCoy's relentless attacks on both Meyers and George, at Commissioner's Court and in videos and social media posts he's been producing, the new redistricting map makes McCoy's precinct 58% Democratic.
Judge KP George said redistricting was the right thing to do.
"The new map reflects the will of the people with 2 Democrats and 2 Republicans on the Court, restoring balance and trust in local government," George said.
Breakdown of new precinct boundaries
A resident advisory committee recommended five maps for consideration Sept. 29. The approved map creates two strong Democratic precincts and two strong Republican precincts.
Political breakdown of the new map:
- Precinct 1: 59% Republican (Incumbent Vincent Morales-R)
- Precinct 2: 68% Democratic (Incumbent Grady Prestage-D)
- Precinct 3: 54% Republican (Incumbent Andy Meyers-R)
- Precinct 4: 58% Democratic (Incumbent Dexter McCoy-D)
Democrats Claim Gerrymandering
McCoy said the new map represents gerrymandering that divides Asian and Hispanic communities to dilute their voting power in one of the most diverse counties in the nation.
Republicans say McCoy's current precinct is an illegal "coalition precinct" where no single minority group is large enough to form a majority, except that it is purposely drawn to stretch across the county to have that effect.
"I'm not happy about this process, but at some point, you've got to be a realist. It's going to happen," Prestage told the Houston Press last week.
McCoy and Prestage are up for reelection in 2026, along with George.
Morales and Meyers won reelection in November 2024.
The owner of Covering Katy News, Dennis Spellman, is also a member of the Fort Bend County Precinct 3 Commissioner's staff.