Texas's 4th Congressional District
A dated list of changes to how Americans vote: district maps, polling places and drop boxes, voting laws and rules, and courts and election officials. Each entry says who did what and when, shows what became of it, and links to the page it rests on. Attempts that failed are listed as failed. Entries that rest on a news report name the outlet.
This is the district view: events tagged to this congressional district, then events that apply across Texas, then national events. An event is tagged to a district only when its source names that congressional district. See all of Texas.
In Texas's 4th Congressional District
No events have been tagged to Texas's 4th Congressional District yet. District events are added over time. The state and national events below also apply here.
Across Texas
2019
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Texas settles lawsuits over its 2019 voter citizenship review
On April 26, 2019, the Texas Secretary of State announced that the parties to LULAC v. Whitley and consolidated cases agreed to a settlement concerning the list maintenance activity announced on January 25, 2019 to identify non-citizens on the voter rolls. The plaintiffs agreed to dismiss their claims and the office agreed to issue a new advisory on the revised process.
Source last checked Oct 20, 2026
2018
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Supreme Court reverses most of a Texas court's rulings against the 2013 maps
In Abbott v. Perez, decided June 25, 2018, the Supreme Court's syllabus states that the Texas court's intent finding was reversed and that its "holding as to the three districts in which it relied on § 2's 'effects' test" was reversed, "but its holding that HD90 is a racial gerrymander is affirmed." Justice Alito wrote for five justices; four dissented.
Source last checked Oct 23, 2026
2017
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Governor signs Senate Bill 5, revising the voter identification requirement
The Legislature's record for 85th Legislature Regular Session Senate Bill 5, "relating to requiring a voter to present proof of identification; providing a criminal penalty and increasing a criminal penalty," shows it was sent to the Governor on May 30, 2017 and signed on June 1, 2017.
Source last checked Oct 20, 2026
2016
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Fifth Circuit, sitting en banc, affirms a Section 2 effects finding against SB 14 and remands for a remedy
In Veasey v. Abbott, filed July 20, 2016, the en banc Fifth Circuit wrote that it would "AFFIRM the district court's finding that SB 14 violates Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act through its discriminatory effects and REMAND for consideration of the appropriate remedy," and would "VACATE the district court's holding that SB 14 is a poll tax" and render judgment for the State on that issue.
Source last checked Oct 20, 2026
2013
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Governor signs new congressional, Texas House and Texas Senate maps in a special session
The Legislature's records show Senate Bill 4 (congressional), Senate Bill 3 (Texas House) and Senate Bill 2 (Texas Senate) of the 83rd Legislature, First Called Session, each signed by the Governor on June 26, 2013, after being sent to him on June 24, 2013.
- Texas Legislature Online: 83(1) SB 4, congressional districts, bill history ↗
- Texas Legislature Online: 83(1) SB 3, Texas House districts, bill history ↗
- Texas Legislature Online: 83(1) SB 2, Texas Senate districts, bill history ↗
Source last checked Oct 20, 2026
2012
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D.C. court denies preclearance to Texas's photo ID law
On August 30, 2012, a three-judge court in the District of Columbia wrote in Texas v. Holder that Texas "has failed to make this showing" that Senate Bill 14 would not worsen minority voters' position, adding that "record evidence demonstrates that, if implemented, SB 14 will likely have a retrogressive effect." The court did not reach whether the law had a discriminatory purpose.
Source last checked Oct 22, 2026
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D.C. court denies preclearance to Texas's 2011 redistricting plans
On August 28, 2012, a three-judge court in the District of Columbia wrote in Texas v. United States that "Texas has failed to show that any of the redistricting plans merits preclearance," referring to the plans for the U.S. House, Texas Senate and Texas House that Texas asked the court to preclear in a complaint filed July 19, 2011.
Source last checked Oct 22, 2026
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Justice Department objects under Section 5 to Texas's photo ID law
In a letter of March 12, 2012, the Justice Department addressed Senate Bill 14 (2011). It states that, with regard to Sections 9 and 14, concerning photo ID requirements for in-person voting and acceptable forms of ID, "I cannot conclude that the state has sustained its burden under Section 5," and that on behalf of the Attorney General it objects. The letter reports that "a Hispanic voter is 46.5 percent more likely than a non-Hispanic voter to lack these forms of identification."
- U.S. Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division: Voting Determination Letters for Texas (index) ↗
- U.S. Department of Justice: Section 5 determination letter, State of Texas (S.B. 14), March 12, 2012 ↗
Source last checked Oct 20, 2026
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Supreme Court vacates Texas court-drawn interim maps for the 2012 elections
In Perry v. Perez, decided January 20, 2012, the Supreme Court wrote: "Because it is unclear whether the District Court in Texas followed the appropriate standards in drawing interim maps, the orders implementing those maps are vacated." The syllabus says Texas, a covered jurisdiction, had submitted its new plans to the D.C. court while a challenge in the Western District of Texas led to interim maps.
Source last checked Oct 23, 2026
2011
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Governor signs Senate Bill 14, requiring photo identification to vote in person
The Texas Legislature's record for 82nd Legislature Regular Session Senate Bill 14, "relating to requirements to vote, including presenting proof of identification; providing criminal penalties," shows it passed the Senate on January 26, 2011, was sent to the Governor on May 18, 2011 and was signed by the Governor on May 27, 2011.
Source last checked Oct 20, 2026
Nationwide
2019
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House passes Voting Rights Advancement Act of 2019; no Senate vote follows
On December 6, 2019, the House passed H.R. 4, the Voting Rights Advancement Act of 2019, by 228 to 187 (Roll no. 654). It was received in the Senate on December 9, 2019 and referred to the Judiciary Committee; the bill record lists no Senate vote, and it did not become law.
Source last checked Oct 31, 2026
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Supreme Court decides Department of Commerce v. New York, on a census citizenship question
On June 27, 2019, the U.S. Supreme Court decided a challenge to the Commerce Secretary's decision to add a citizenship question to the 2020 census. The syllabus says "The Enumeration Clause permits Congress, and by extension the Secretary, to inquire about citizenship on the census questionnaire," and the judgment was "affirmed in part, reversed in part, and remanded."
Source last checked Oct 29, 2026
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Supreme Court decides Rucho v. Common Cause
On June 27, 2019, the U.S. Supreme Court decided cases from North Carolina and Maryland in which voters challenged congressional maps as partisan. The Court held that such claims present "political questions beyond the reach of the federal courts."
Source last checked Oct 29, 2026
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House passes For the People Act of 2019; no Senate vote follows
On March 8, 2019, the House passed H.R. 1, the For the People Act of 2019, by 234 to 193 (Roll no. 118). The bill was received in the Senate on March 12, 2019 and placed on the Senate calendar; the bill record lists no Senate vote on passage, and it did not become law.
Source last checked Oct 29, 2026
2018
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President signs Executive Order 13848 on foreign interference in U.S. elections
Executive Order 13848, dated September 12, 2018, imposes sanctions authority in the event of foreign interference in a U.S. election. The order says "there has been no evidence of a foreign power altering the outcome or vote tabulation in any United States election" and declares a national emergency over the threat of interference.
Source last checked Oct 20, 2026
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Supreme Court decides Gill v. Whitford
On June 18, 2018, the U.S. Supreme Court reviewed a challenge to Wisconsin's state legislative map as a partisan one. The Court held that "The plaintiffs have failed to demonstrate Article III standing."
Source last checked Oct 23, 2026
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Supreme Court decides Husted v. A. Philip Randolph Institute
On June 11, 2018, the U.S. Supreme Court held that "The process that Ohio uses to remove voters on change-of-residence grounds does not violate the Failure-to-Vote Clause or any other part of the NVRA."
- Husted v. A. Philip Randolph Institute, 584 U.S. 756 (2018), U.S. Reports, Volume 584 (Supreme Court) ↗
- Husted v. A. Philip Randolph Institute, No. 16-980 (U.S. June 11, 2018), syllabus and opinions (Cornell Legal Information Institute copy) ↗
Source last checked Oct 22, 2026
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President terminates the Presidential Advisory Commission on Election Integrity
Executive Order 13820, dated January 3, 2018 and published January 8, 2018, revoked Executive Order 13799 and states that "the Presidential Advisory Commission on Election Integrity is accordingly terminated."
Source last checked Oct 29, 2026
2017
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Supreme Court decides Cooper v. Harris
On May 22, 2017, the U.S. Supreme Court reviewed North Carolina's congressional Districts 1 and 12. The syllabus says the lower court "did not err in concluding that race furnished the predominant rationale for District 1's redesign and that the State's interest in complying with the VRA could not justify that consideration of race."
Source last checked Oct 23, 2026
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President establishes the Presidential Advisory Commission on Election Integrity
Executive Order 13799, dated May 11, 2017 and published May 16, 2017, established the Presidential Advisory Commission on Election Integrity, chaired by the Vice President, to "study the registration and voting processes used in Federal elections."
Source last checked Oct 29, 2026
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Homeland Security designates election infrastructure as critical infrastructure
On January 6, 2017, Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson said he had determined "that election infrastructure in this country should be designated as a subsector of the existing Government Facilities critical infrastructure sector." The statement defines election infrastructure as including "storage facilities, polling places, and centralized vote tabulations locations" and voter registration databases and voting machines.
Source last checked Oct 29, 2026
2016
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Supreme Court decides Evenwel v. Abbott
On April 4, 2016, the U.S. Supreme Court held that "a State or locality may draw its legislative districts based on total population," according to its syllabus.
Source last checked Oct 23, 2026
2013
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Supreme Court decides Shelby County v. Holder
On June 25, 2013, the U.S. Supreme Court held that Section 4 of the Voting Rights Act is unconstitutional and that its formula can no longer be used as a basis for requiring places to get federal approval ("preclearance") before changing voting procedures.
Source last checked Oct 23, 2026
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Supreme Court decides Arizona v. Inter Tribal Council of Arizona
On June 17, 2013, the U.S. Supreme Court held that "Arizona's evidence-of-citizenship requirement, as applied to Federal Form applicants, is pre-empted by the NVRA's mandate that States 'accept and use' the Federal Form."
Source last checked Oct 23, 2026
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President establishes the Presidential Commission on Election Administration
Executive Order 13639, dated March 28, 2013 and published April 3, 2013, established the Presidential Commission on Election Administration. The order says the commission "shall identify best practices and otherwise make recommendations to promote the efficient administration of elections."
Source last checked Oct 29, 2026
How this timeline is built
Every entry rests on at least one source that was opened and read, and that source states the date and the fact. Courts, legislatures, election offices, the Justice Department, the Census Bureau, the Federal Register and Congress.gov come first. A news report is used only when no official page states the fact, and it is labeled with the outlet's name. Encyclopedias are not used as sources. History starts in 1965 with the Voting Rights Act. County names come from the Census Bureau's 2024 Gazetteer. Congressional district numbers are those in use for the 2026 election; an event is tagged to a district only when its source names that congressional district.
When a later event changes an earlier one, such as a law later struck down, both entries are listed and point to each other. This page does not predict outcomes or say which party a change helps. U.S. House maps for 2026 · Back to the 2026 voting center.