So Democrats high-tailed it out of town. Some went to Chicago or Boston. Others to Albany, N.Y. They are giving press conferences to vent their outrage. Now, what started as a redistricting clash has turned into a nationwide game of hide-and-seek. Greg Abbott, the Texas governor, says he’ll oust Democratic lawmakers who don’t return for the vote.

Democratic and Republican lawmakers are escalating their threats over redistricting, a fight that started in Texas and is now quickly spreading across the country.