An advocacy group pushing for independent redistricting commissions is getting involved in the redistricting fight in Texas.
Common Cause refers to itself as an organization that uses grassroots efforts as well as legal and legislative action to stand up to special interests.
Emily Eby French is the Policy Director for Common Cause Texas.
"Greg Abbott wasn't even talking about redistricting during the regular legislative session which just ended," French said at the site of a rally opposing redistricting efforts in Texas. "It was only when Donald Trump ordered that Greg Abbott added it to the special session."
She says the group does not favor one party over another.
They want transparency and are concerned that public hearings have been held without any proposed redistricting maps.
"We want the people of Texas to be part of any redistricting effort," she said. "These rushed hearings in only three cities are not a good sign."
The University of Texas at Arlington was site of a public hearing on redistricting this week.
President Trump called for the redistricting effort to give republicans at least five more seats in Texas. He did not think the entire state's congressional districts needed to be redrawn.