HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- As the redistricting battle ramps up in Texas, Houston residents say they're caught in the middle of what they call a political game.

"The Republicans, the Democrats, they're at this political odd deal, and the people are in the middle," Pastor Steve Hall, who has led Bethany Baptist Church in northeast Houston for 40 years, said.

Those at church on Wednesday are just some of the 700,000 people in Houston's District 18 who have had no representation in Congress since former Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner died in March.

If state lines are redrawn, their district would be split up.

"That means if you attempt to have a word, have a vote, your voice is null and void," parishioner Paul Cole said. "In other words, you just may as well be invisible."

Wednesday marks

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