The three-judge panel overseeing the challenge to Texas’ congressional district maps will meet with lawyers April 27 to get an update on the case, including whether the Legislature plans to take up redistricting to correct problems the panel identified in a ruling last month. The status conference also will discuss a request to prohibit Texas from using the current map of congressional districts in the 2018 election. As of now, candidates expect to begin filing for the primaries in November. The conference will chart the next steps in the case after the panel, in a 2-1 ruling on March 10, found that three congressional districts were drawn by Republicans in 2011 to intentionally discriminate against Latino and black voters.
Although the Legislature adopted a new map in 2013, the three districts were little changed, prompting civil rights groups and minority voters to argue that it would be improper to continue using the districts as drawn.
With the legislative session ending May 29, there has been little inclination to dive back into the complicated and time-consuming redistricting process.
The House Redistricting Committee hasn’t scheduled a hearing or any action since last month’s ruling, and a similar Senate committee was disbanded after the 2013 session.
Full Article: Court wants update on Legislature’s redistricting plans.
