The latest demographics news from The Texas Tribune.
Dallas-area Latinos hoped their growing numbers would finally translate into political clout this year through the creation of a new congressional district anchored by their communities. Instead, their neighborhoods were splintered between numerous white-majority districts. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/4b7c62aed92f6d1f6455640e1fff76eb/Eagle%20Ford%20ST%20TT%2005.jpg)
Republicans in Austin have been after local governments for years, pushing aside local laws and rules on a long list of issues where local and state powers overlap. Now they're recruiting fellow Republicans for local offices, to try to change things at the ground level. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/a9e1a66c066a95a5a4a4d59a84fe8fb6/BD%20INC%20Blanco%2090%202012)
Texas’ population has grown 40% this century, and 91% of the new Texans are people of color. Federal judges now have to decide whether those monumental changes are reflected in the state’s political maps. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/ea11e454d35aff97551b04745afac028/2nd%20Redo%20Redistricting%20maps%20MGO%20TT%2005.jpg)
Texas lawmakers illegally discriminated against voters of color by drawing new political districts that give white voters more political power despite rapid growth of Hispanic and Black populations, the department claims in its lawsuit. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/6742379ae6a1a2edbfbc5fcc4b7e32f4/Texas%20Capitol%20MGO%20TT%2008.jpg)
Asian and Pacific Islander populations surged in Texas over the past decade, but their political power is weakened under new congressional maps. A northwest Houston neighborhood offers a case study in how that was done. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/14d0e1ee7fb05b17717b922a529fbf86/Hyunja%20Norman%20TT%2008.jpg)
The GOP slate for statewide office includes two high-profile Latinos and two Black candidates who have previously held state or federal office. Republicans are making a play to be more competitive with voters of color as the state’s electorate grows more diverse. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/9f48e1ba31683297a919a6d3c4464108/Texas%20Democrats%20EG%20TT%2005.jpg)
El Pasoans who have followed O’Rourke’s political career are excited about his run for governor. But his critics still remember his support of a development plan that could have displaced Mexican American residents from one of the city’s oldest barrios. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/a61e56f73adc03bc4d4d4f0069cdb72e/Beto%20Early%20Voting%20Rally%20IPA%20TT%2025.jpg)
In a final push to secure federal voting rights legislation this year, congressional Democrats failed to secure the necessary votes to avoid a GOP filibuster on the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/b0b97d0bf001cbd80dda10578487172f/US%20Capitol%20File%20EL%20TT%2007.jpg)
The Mexican American Legislative Caucus is arguing that the new state House map violates the Texas Constitution. The lawsuit follows two legal challenges to the state’s new maps previously filed in federal court. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/698d6ab9656b623e4cbc5cccc6edf206/House%20Floor%20Oct%2012%20MGO%20TT%2007.jpg)
In Texas, the Legislature draws political maps — with results that predictably favor the party in power. Do independent commissions do any better? Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/7eea0fb1e5b023423ecab7981895ffc2/Salman%20Bhojani%20BT%20TT%2011.jpg)
Austin fire officials said they’re investigating a Sunday incident that caused about $25,000 in damage as a potential arson. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/d72308fa54c2d534a0dd20eef74d1506/Re-edit%20Jewish%20Community%20Center%20Presser%20MGO%20TT%2009.jpg)
The new political maps drawn by Texas Republicans have run into some criticism from academics studying gerrymandering. That puts the Texans in the same boat with Illinois Democrats. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/1b9a54826a19db63c98921ee15a02b5d/SB7%20Beto%20file%2005-08%20EL%20TT%2002.jpg)
House Bill 25 will require student athletes who compete in interscholastic competition to play on sports teams that correspond with the sex listed on their birth certificate at or near their time of birth. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/aa37e36238f451c973d3d020cdbbac5e/Equality%20Texas%20Lights%20In%20Darkness%20MGO%20TT%2002.jpg)
Texas lawmakers drew new maps for the state House and Senate, congressional delegation and State Board of Education. Here’s what Texans should know about the 2021 redistricting outcomes. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/f7b4af74a5927b63bdc379e2f08ff090/Redistricting%20maps%20MGO%20TT%2001.jpg)
This year’s elections will take place using newly redrawn political maps for the state’s congressional, House, Senate and Board of Education districts. Search your address to see how the new districts will affect your community. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/07c0a48c33ba4d70c3c25876e95beb44/TT-redistricting-lead-v1.png)
The controversial issues you’ve heard Texas lawmakers debate for most of the year aren’t going away; many of them will be argued all over again during the 2022 elections. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/f6f365ee20e88ea0c5a6e47ef907e4dc/House%20Floor%20Oct%2012%20MGO%20TT%2004.jpg)
With partisan fervor, Republicans drew new maps for Congress and the Legislature that dilute the power of voters of color. Now the lawsuits begin, as groups that feel marginalized battle for representation in the halls of power. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/3fc9c49786b2f595d12dbdd96c1d07f6/House%20Sine%20Die%20EL%20TT%2008.jpg)
Gov. Greg Abbott’s office says there’s no plan for a fourth special session at this time. If this was the final special session of the year, what did we learn from it? Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/a41432313d1e96355f5ea3a9c53adad6/Texas%20Capitol%20Oct%206%20MGO%20TT%2008.jpg)
After a few last-minute alterations, the state's new congressional districts are drawn and await the scrutiny of federal courts. Already, one lawsuit has been filed claiming the new maps intentionally discriminate against Latino voters. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/3fe311e26f376c23afa284594cc65752/House%20Floor%20Oct%2012%20MGO%20TT%2008.jpg)
Before they’re even signed into law, the state’s new maps for congressional and statehouse districts have been challenged in federal court by the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/d35db7b6daa76f8c7aa4080b20a814a9/Texas%20House%20of%20Representatives%20BD%20TT.jpg)