In this month’s issue of the Texas Monthly, deputy editor Brian D. Sweany exposes the drama of the ongoing legislative debate
over the Texas redistricting map. In his article titled “Mappily Ever After” he states that the redistricting issue is one that
consistently leaves voters feeling frustrated, angry and at times confused.
This past January the U.S. Supreme Court agreed to hear oral arguments in regards to the interim maps for Texas congressional and legislative districts. These maps were created by a federal court in San Antonio last November. The changes to the electoral maps were required because Texas grew by more than four million people in the last decade, with about 65 percent of that growth coming in the Hispanic population. The growth entitled the state to four additional House seats. Sweany explains that the redistricting process has been a tactic used for decades by political parties to win votes, while bringing about “bloody partisan warfare” and spending millions of dollars on litigation in the process.
The bulk of the article focuses on state senator Jeff Wentworth's proposal to eliminate the bipartisanship of redistricting. Wentworth has sponsored several bills on redistricting in previous sessions that would have created an independent, bipartisan commission to remove the Legislature from the process. In previous years, Wentworth’s plan passed the Senate a few times but none have ever made it passed the House.
Depending upon the Supreme Court’s ruling (scheduled to be released by February 3rd) the upcoming Texas primaries could be delayed for the second time this year. If this case of redistricting is not resolved soon, the outcome could greatly influence the votes in favor of one party and possibly frustrate voters even more. To read the entire article click here
This past January the U.S. Supreme Court agreed to hear oral arguments in regards to the interim maps for Texas congressional and legislative districts. These maps were created by a federal court in San Antonio last November. The changes to the electoral maps were required because Texas grew by more than four million people in the last decade, with about 65 percent of that growth coming in the Hispanic population. The growth entitled the state to four additional House seats. Sweany explains that the redistricting process has been a tactic used for decades by political parties to win votes, while bringing about “bloody partisan warfare” and spending millions of dollars on litigation in the process.
The bulk of the article focuses on state senator Jeff Wentworth's proposal to eliminate the bipartisanship of redistricting. Wentworth has sponsored several bills on redistricting in previous sessions that would have created an independent, bipartisan commission to remove the Legislature from the process. In previous years, Wentworth’s plan passed the Senate a few times but none have ever made it passed the House.
Depending upon the Supreme Court’s ruling (scheduled to be released by February 3rd) the upcoming Texas primaries could be delayed for the second time this year. If this case of redistricting is not resolved soon, the outcome could greatly influence the votes in favor of one party and possibly frustrate voters even more. To read the entire article click here
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