Texas Maps on Trial

The U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to hear an appeal from Texas Republicans over whether a panel of federal judges acted properly when it replaced the state legislature's congressional map with its own.

The judges' map was the result of a lawsuit that claimed the legislature-drawn map did not give adequate opportunity for minority groups to elect representatives of their choosing, as required by the Voting Rights Act. Texas gained four congressional seats from the 2010 Census--65% of the state's new residents were Latino--yet only one of the four new districts was majority-minority.

Oral argument is set for January 9, and in addition to the implications for voters, a New York Times article highlighted the plight of Texas elections officials who are now stuck in a holding pattern. With less than 90 days before Super Tuesday (March 6), election preparations should be well underway. Instead they are stalled because there are no districts: ballots have not been programmed, proofed or printed, machines have not been tested, voter registration cards haven't been printed or mailed, and poll workers haven't been trained.

However the maps are ultimately drawn, the case has already impacted the election schedule, and has the potential to affect voter turnout and county budgets. Even candidates have been unable to file because their districts simply don't exist. However the Supreme Court rules, the outcome could forever change the way our districts are drawn.

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Redistricting Continues in 19 States

As of last week, nineteen states are still without final districts. The redistricting process went smoothly and quickly in some states, but in others, maps are already in courts and others will be soon.

In Arizona, Governor Jan Brewer led a(n initially) successful charge to oust the chairwoman of the state’s independent commission. However, the Arizona Supreme Court overturned her decision, leaving some to speculate that the governor could still have her removed at a future date. Nevertheless, once finalized, many expect Arizona's maps to be challenged in court.

Based on the 2010 Census figures, Texas gained four additional representatives in the House. However, last week a federal court rejected the legislature's newly drawn lines, claiming they did not appropriately reflect Latino populations. This is nothing new, as Texas' maps have been challenged in court every decade for the past half century.

With presidential primaries beginning in early January, time is running out for states to finalize districts ahead of 2012.

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