Federal Judges Strike Down Texas Redistricting Plan

Republicans aren't allowed to gerrymander. It's in the Constitution.

Voter maps used in the state’s general primary election for 2012 on May 29 was set by a San Antonio-based panel of three federal judges, who approved interim electoral maps while awaiting a decision from the Washington court.

During a two-week bench trial in January, judges heard testimony from Texas legislators, their staffs and expert witnesses who analyzed voter data in the state.

The Justice Department alleged at trial that Texas “purposely manipulated” proposed congressional districts in the Dallas-Fort Worth area to decrease current and future minority voter strength.

In years past, Democrats held power at the state level and gerrymandered districts to keep the party at near-parity in congressional representation, despite the fact the state voted overwhelmingly for Republicans on the federal level.

Now the Republicans hold power on the state level, too, and have drawn district lines to favor themselves for a change.

Again, that turns out to be imconstitutional. Only Democrats can avail themselves of gerrymandering tricks.

Via Dedicated 10ther.

posted by Ace at 04:39 PM

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