Recommendations for a fair & open Redistricting process
In 2011, Texas drew election maps that intentionally discriminated against people of color. A federal district court that reviewed those maps noted the​​,
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"exclusion of minority member and public input despite the minority population growth, the misleading information, the secrecy and closed process, and the rushed process.”
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In 2019, that same panel of judges stated,
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“Given the record produced in 2011, the State must implement a process that, by any reasonable definition, is ‘fair and open.’”
As the Legislature takes steps to redistrict again in 2025, we are seeing the same troubling pattern that the federal courts objected to in 2011 and 2019. So far, no maps have been shared with the public, hearing notices are being posted only a few days before the scheduled hearings, and testimony in the House is being limited to only 5 hours per hearing. It is blatantly clear that the Legislature is not interested in hearing the concerns of its constituents and is merely going through the motions while moving full steam ahead with its own plans and disregarding the concerns and voices of the constituents they claim to serve.
we must demand a fair and open redistricting process
1. Show us the maps!
Hold a public hearing with public testimony on any proposed maps after they have been drawn but before they are voted on.
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“We want public input to be taken seriously and to be reflected in the maps."
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2. Do not discriminate against voters of color.
This brazen move by the Governor and the DOJ to increase Republican representation in the U.S. House by taking it away from communities of color is shameful. It is blatant racial discrimination.
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3. Do not limit public testimony.
The House should not limit the length of public testimony to five (5) hours. People have taken time away from work and their families so that they can address their representatives. Our voices deserve to be heard.
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4. We Need at Least 5 Days to Review the Maps
Maps must be made public at least 5 days in advance of any public hearings during a special session or votes in order to allow sufficient time for the public to review the maps, prepare testimony, and propose alternative maps.
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"It takes time to review the maps to ensure compliance with the Voting Rights Act. The rushed process that the Legislature used in 2011 and 2013 (which is currently being used again) contributed to the adoption of discriminatory maps."
5. We Also Need at Least 5 Days to Review Any Proposed Changes
​Any amendments (changes) offered to a map proposal must be presented at least 5 days in advance of any vote to allow for the public to analyze the proposed amendments and advocate for or against them.
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"Currently, the Legislature is proposing 24 hours to review proposed amendments (changes to proposed plans.) A federal district court already found that amount of time to be grossly insufficient during last decade's litigation."
6. Provide an Analysis of How the New Maps Impact Historically Disenfranchised Communities of Color
The Bill Analysis for any map proposal must include analysis of how the proposed map affects the ability of communities of color and VRA-protected language minorities to elect candidates of their choice.
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"While the Supreme Court has said that partisan gerrymandering is ok, this does not mean that the Legislature has a green light to exclude public input in the maps, especially from communities of color.”
7. Keep All Documents, Written Communications, Emails, Text Messages and Draft Maps.
As the legislative committees begin the redistricting process, we expect the entire process — from beginning to end — to be fully transparent to the general public. There should be full disclosure of every aspect of the legislature's work: data, communications, consultations or proposals, from whatever source. Claims of ‘legislative privilege’ have no place when it comes to redistricting.
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"Already, organizations involved in redistricting, including ones associated with members of the Texas House redistricting committee, are following the Hofeller dossier playbook for gerrymandering and encouraging legislators to hide and destroy their emails and other communications. We want the legislators to know that voters will not stand for such cynical, secretive behavior.