“Texas House map must be redrawn, federal court says”

Texas Tribune:

Parts of the Texas House map must be redrawn ahead of the 2018 elections because lawmakers intentionally discriminated against minorities in crafting several legislative districts, federal judges ruled on Thursday.

A three-judge panel in San Antonio unanimously ruled that Texas must address violations that could affect the configuration of House districts in four counties, where lawmakers diluted the strength of voters of color.  In some cases, the court found mapdrawers intentionally undercut minority voting power “to ensure Anglo control” of legislative districts. 

In footnote 5 of the ruling, Judge Smith, who had dissented on the rulings related to the 2011 plans did not dissent here, viewing those earlier rulings binding him under the “law of the case” doctrine.

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