Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott on Monday asked the nation's top court not to allow new maps outlining boundaries for state legislative districts to go into effect.
His request comes after a San Antonio federal court released interim state legislative and congressional maps in recent days, replacing maps the Republican-led legislature drew earlier this year.
The San Antonio court was tasked with drawing the maps after minority groups sued the state, saying boundaries set by the Legislature didn't reflect growth in Texas' Hispanic and black populations. (Photo of Abbott by Eric Gay/AP)
A federal court in Washington, D.C., refused to approve the maps without a trial, agreeing with the Justice Department that there was enough reason to question whether the maps hurt minority representation.
Because Texas has a history of racial discrimination, the state cannot implement the maps or other changes without federal approval.
“Today’s appeal emphasizes that no court has, at any time, found anything unlawful about the redistricting maps passed by the Texas Legislature,” Abbott said Monday. “It is judicial activism at its worst for judges to draw redistricting maps of their own choosing despite no finding of wrongdoing by the state of Texas.”
Texas' application for a stay of the House map
Texas' appendix to application for stay of the House map
Texas' application for a stay of the Senate plan
Texas' appendix to application for stay of the Senate map
-- Anna M. Tinsley
Republicans, wake up and confront reality, we live in a Democratic state (suposebly) and all constituents have a constitutional right to equal representation. Minorities have been under represented in Texas since We became a State but no mas, ya basta.
Posted by: enrique gallegos | November 28, 2011 at 07:14 PM
A racist attorney general trying to gerrymander maps to his party's advantage. A Supreme Court used to vote rigging and deciding the 2000 election to its liking. Interesting to see what happens.
Posted by: Joe | November 29, 2011 at 08:28 AM
Bad headline. Texas isn't asking for the Supremes to reject the Republican gerrymandered election maps. Our thoroughly partisan Attorney General is asking the Court to forget about Texas' history of depriving certain voters of a fair voice. Business as usual in the Lege.
Posted by: Armstrong | November 30, 2011 at 08:22 AM
A racist attorney general trying to gerrymander maps to his party's advantage. A Supreme Court used to vote rigging and deciding the 2000 election to its liking. Interesting to see what happens.
Posted by: search a lawyer | February 11, 2012 at 04:22 AM