More on Redistricting…
Should you wish to learn more about the redistricting process, sourced information can be found here: https://ballotpedia.org/Redistricting_in_Texas_after_the_2020_census
Expect lawsuits from Democrats
Under the Voting Rights Act, redistricting plans cannot discriminate on the basis of race, color, or membership in a language minority group. Redistricting plans also cannot have a discriminatory effect or purpose.
In 2013, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down a key provision in the Voting Rights Act by deciding in Shelby County v. Holder that some governmental bodies, including those in Texas, no longer had to have their maps preapproved by the federal government. Opponents of the decision said they feared this meant that discriminatory maps could go into effect unless a court ruled in favor of plaintiffs in a civil lawsuit. Since this is all the Democrats have, we expect them to make an effort to gum up the works – that is if the rinos don’t hand them everything they want on a silver platter anyway.
What’s New
Texas House Redistricting hearings begin tomorrow!
The Texas House begins its redistricting hearings tomorrow, Wednesday, Sept. 8, with its five hearings stretching over two weeks.
The members of the House Committee on Redistricting can be found here by clicking here.
Hearing notices with dates, times, locations and rules can be found by clicking here.
Note the House procedures differ from those of the Texas Senate! Members of the public who cannot attend the hearing in person may request to be invited to provide their testimony virtually by videoconference by registering for an invitation in advance of the hearing at
https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJEqcemrrz0iHtZRL7OVq1cXsR_Ndg8zi9VB
Information for in-person witness registration, can be found here:
https://mytxlegis.capitol.texas.gov/HWRSPublic/About.aspx
A live video broadcast of the hearings will be available here:
https://house.texas.gov/video-audio/
Instructions related to public access to the meeting, location, and health/safety protocols for attending the meetings are available here:
https://house.texas.gov/committees/public-access-house-committee-meetings/
Texas residents who wish to electronically submit written comments related to redistricting without testifying can do so until each hearing is adjourned by visiting: https://comments.house.texas.gov/home?c=c080
Cities, Counties, Special Taxing Districts, School Districts & Community Colleges
On the county level, commissioners courts ultimately decide on precinct maps for county commissioners, constables and justices of the peace. While JPs and constables do not hold representative offices, their boundaries often are drawn to conform to plans for county commissioners courts so that election precincts across the county may be used for all county offices. Texas counties have wide discretion when crafting county commissioner, justice of the peace, and constable precincts under Art. 5, sec. 18 of the Texas Constitution.
On the municipal level, city councils decide on wards and districts.
School Boards, Community College Trustees and special taxing districts will all be looking at the need to redraw lines for their elected boards based on population growth. Some may not need to redistrict. You will need to investigate (see below).
Each precinct, ward or district should be as equal as geographically possible in population.
The public redistricting hearings for many of these local taxing entities will likely take place in November with votes to adopt maps in December. HOWEVER, look at your own local government websites for postings about redistricting hearings. If you cannot locate the information, call your county commissioner, city councilmember, ISD, and community college trustees and trustees/commissioners of special taxing districts.
Confused about your own local government representation? Take a look at your voter registration card. It should list every single district you should be concerned about when it comes to redistricting. If it is on your voter registration card, guess what? You pay taxes to that government entity! Therefore, you have every reason to care about what they do!
BONUS information:
Did you know that the Texas Constitution allows for commissioners courts to set the number of constable and justice of the peace precincts and can abolish some of those offices during redistricting? Article V, Sec. 18. DIVISION OF COUNTIES INTO PRECINCTS; ELECTION OF CONSTABLE AND JUSTICE OF THE PEACE; COUNTY COMMISSIONERS AND COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT.
Commissioners Courts should review the cost/benefit of these offices and seek to remove costly overlapping, duplicated effort.
As always, our purpose is to educate and empower you to effectively interact with your elected officials and to equip you to limit the size and scope of government, shove government back into a constitution-sized box, and to protect and advance Liberty!
Uniting and equipping conservatives to fight back with liberty principles,
JoAnn Fleming
Executive Director
Grassroots America – We the People PAC