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talkpoliticsBecause state lawmakers control the once-a-decade redrawing of congressional maps in most states, that puts Republicans in a position to decide the boundaries of about 194 House districts, more than double the number they controlled last cycle. Instead of popping the champagne corks, though, some GOP leaders are warning about the perils of too much cartographical authority.
http://www.nationaljournal.com/congress/republican-redistricting-plans-hold-risks-20101221
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When the census results come out today, Texas will probably get at least three new Congressional seats, maybe four. Texas Republicans control both houses of the state legislature and the governorship, but Texas has nothing in its constitution or statutes about congressional redistricting, which means it must comply with the Voting Rights Act's mandate to ensure minorities will have representation.
Tom DeLay engineered the last redistricting in the state. Tom has other issues he's dealing with currently (hoping his prospective roommate isn't named "Mongo").
Redistricting is inherently political, but the census is going to make it hard for Republican redistricting officials to create more GOP districts without unbalancing their incumbents' voter base. The state GOP is stressing the importance of equal population in each district, while Democratic leaders will push to make sure the new influx of hispanic voters get their own districts in the Rio Grande valley and Dallas areas.
How important do you think "minority districts" are, and do you believe the Republican Party will revive their defunct 'outreach program' to attract hispanic voters for 2012?
http://www.nationaljournal.com/congress/republican-redistricting-plans-hold-risks-20101221
----
When the census results come out today, Texas will probably get at least three new Congressional seats, maybe four. Texas Republicans control both houses of the state legislature and the governorship, but Texas has nothing in its constitution or statutes about congressional redistricting, which means it must comply with the Voting Rights Act's mandate to ensure minorities will have representation.
Tom DeLay engineered the last redistricting in the state. Tom has other issues he's dealing with currently (hoping his prospective roommate isn't named "Mongo").
Redistricting is inherently political, but the census is going to make it hard for Republican redistricting officials to create more GOP districts without unbalancing their incumbents' voter base. The state GOP is stressing the importance of equal population in each district, while Democratic leaders will push to make sure the new influx of hispanic voters get their own districts in the Rio Grande valley and Dallas areas.
How important do you think "minority districts" are, and do you believe the Republican Party will revive their defunct 'outreach program' to attract hispanic voters for 2012?
