A lawsuit is requesting Travis County District Court to render all 10 Austin City Council seats up for election in the fall.
The Austin American-Statesman reported that attorney Bill Aleshire filed the original petition on behalf of a dozen registered voters whose addresses will be put in new districts in accordance with the city’s redistricting plan.
"But since when, in a Democratic republic, does the government tell the voters who their elected representative will be, as opposed to voters exercising their right to vote on who represents them?" the complaint states. "The solution, and the remedy sought, is to require all 10 council districts to be on the November ballot."
The suit implicates Austin Mayor Steve Adler and the entire city council.
The Austin American-Statesman reported that if the complainants prevail, the quintet of council members who aren’t due to defend their seats until 2024 – namely, Vanessa Fuentes, Chito Vela, Leslie Pool, Mackenzie Kelly and Alison Alter – will have their terms end earlier than intended.
The other five aren’t affected by the outcome as they’re all slated to be on the November 2022 ballot.
Aleshire, the former Travis County judge, hopes a resolution can be reached by August, according to the publication.
The city said in a statement that its attorneys are reviewing the complaint and will present their findings at an upcoming city council meeting.