Court: Texas Political Maps Don't Protect Minority Vote
Texas lawmakers didn’t comply with the Voting Rights Act when they drew new maps for congressional, state Senate and state House districts, a federal court in Washington, D.C., ruled Tuesday.
“Texas ... seeks from this court a declaratory judgement that its redistricting plans will neither have 'the purpose nor will have the effect of denying or abridging the right to vote on account of race or color, or [language minority group]", the judges wrote. "We conclude that Texas has failed to show that any of the redistricting plans merits preclearance.”
Attorney General Greg Abbott immediately said — via Twitter — that ...
Comments (11)
Richard Taylor via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Hello, should this be news? or reporting the obvious? Richard
Jim Vance
"Attorney General Greg Abbott immediately said — via Twitter — that the state will appeal the ruling to the U.S. Supreme Court."
Just call him the General Doofus Twitmeister for all his blather's worth....
ChiefBuffalo
From the perspectivoe of a former staff member on redistricting in the Texas Legislature, I agree with this appeals court.
jpt51
I wish the decision would disrupt the current election. The Legislature should pay the consequences for their overreaching. I wonder how much of our taxpayer money the Legislature has wasted on this one issue. Include the frivolous court antics by AG Abbott and we could have insured 10,000 more children or saved thousands of teaching jobs this school year.
Olga Campos Benz via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Now if we could just get the Courts to figure out the funding to PPH out!
Samdavis
No money for education but plenty for appeals.
Jose B. Gonzalez via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Any fair minded idiot can see that the GOP was completely wrong. It was a blatant attempt to dilute the voting power of minorities. The GOP knows the end of them dominating state politics is coming - they're willing to do ANYTHING to avoid that - EVEN BREAK THE LAW...
John Lyon via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Redistricting reform. Now.
lewis ramsey
The only justification for Abbott law suits is a belief that the current U.S. Supreme Court is hostile enough to Civil Rights that it is prepared to weaken or ruled unconsitutional the Voting Rights Act. Congress has consistently upheld the interpretations of the Federal Courts with regard to this law. Abbott won an undeserved victory when the Supreme Court invalidated the San Antonio Courts original interim redistricting plan. Hopefully, when the president wins re-election, he will take up these matters and clarify that the San Antonio drawing of lines without regard to the unapproved legislature plan will be made law. This will greatly improve the chances of states working out the plan with the Justice Department and not litigating. Here is the constitutional underpinning of the Voting Rights Act:
[FIFTHTEENTH AMENDMENT
Section 1. The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude.
Section 2. The Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.]
Since congress is explicitly given the authority to legislate in this area, you would think all the consitutionist would support it. But no.
gypsy314 ne
I say the elected law makers of Texas should have there maps since Texas voters elected them. As to race issues from past that is the past. I can not believe Texas is allowing a bunch of race hate people like Obama and La rasa setting rules to Texas. This is a Red state and if you left wing liberals do not like it move to a blue state.
gypsy314 ne
Why should Illegal aliens have a say on our laws and voting once they leave and I hope soon the maps will go back. Besides why in the hell should any liberal make any changes to our maps that Texas voters vote for the law makers to make. This is a red state and if you liberals do not like it leave.