Redistricting is Harder Than It Looked at First
Texas lawmakers set out to do a quick fix on the state's political maps. They soon found out there was nothing quick about it. Full Story
The latest redistricting news from The Texas Tribune.
Texas lawmakers set out to do a quick fix on the state's political maps. They soon found out there was nothing quick about it. Full Story
Politics is fast. Redistricting is slow. A rare set of openings has candidates wrestling for advantage at the same time that redistricting debates are raising some of the same questions that stalled the 2012 primaries. Full Story
On the latest Agenda Texas, from KUT News and the Tribune: Those hoping for a quick special session may be disappointed. As lawmakers learned last week, there's nothing quick or easy about redistricting. Full Story
This week in the Texas Weekly Newsreel: Now that the regular legislative session is over and the special session is under way, the focus has turned to who may be running for office in 2014, and to another round of redistricting. Full Story
The comity of the regular session might disappear in a special session: The rules change to the disadvantage of the Democrats, and the agenda changes to the advantage of the governor. Full Story
UPDATED: At a federal redistricting hearing in San Antonio, lawyers for the state and the various plaintiffs agreed that the state Senate maps used in 2012 should be left as is for the 2014 elections. But they still differ on the House and Congress plans. Full Story
On the latest Agenda Texas, from KUT News and the Tribune: The special session on redistricting is under way, but unlike previous redistricting efforts in Texas, most of the action this time may not take place at the Capitol. Full Story
Lawmakers are deciding whether to ratify political maps drawn by federal judges for the 2012 elections and to use those maps in 2014. Based on the last two elections, we've calculated the political environment in each district. Full Story
On the latest Agenda Texas, from KUT News and the Tribune: It's the final weekend of the 83rd legislative session. Lawmakers still need to finish up the budget, and we answer more listener questions. Full Story
A perfect time for speculation: The legislative session isn't quite over, and the political season hasn't quite begun. Full Story
Republican leaders in Texas want the Legislature to take up redistricting this session. That's a bad idea, writes Matt Angle, director of the Lone Star Project. Full Story
Texas could trim the size of its court fights over redistricting by endorsing maps drawn by federal judges, but legislative leaders fear the harmony of the current session would evaporate in the process. Full Story
Having each House or Senate district match the others in size masks big differences in voting age populations that greatly affect politics and elections. Use our maps to explore the numbers and see how House and Senate districts compare to statewide averages. Full Story
It’s easy to admit that those other states need some federal oversight, but here in Texas? Get out of town. Full Story
Proponents of Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act hope than an amicus brief filed by interests groups will sway the nine justices charged with rendering a decision on the landmark civil rights legislation. Full Story
Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act appears to be in danger of being overturned, according to various news outlets covering oral arguments before the U.S. Supreme Court on Wednesday. Full Story
Overall, Texas voters — by a slight majority — believe the federal government should continue oversight of the state's changes in election laws, according to the October 2012 University of Texas/Texas Tribune Poll. But partisans are split. Full Story
Resuscitating the 2011 redistricting battle, two lawmakers have filed bills requiring the state to count prisoners at their last home address rather than where they are incarcerated. They say it cheats urban districts out of representatives. Full Story
The Texas Senate relied on chance Wednesday to determine which of them would serve for four years and which would serve for two years. For some legislators, the luck of the draw could have bigger political implications. Full Story
The U.S. Supreme Court may determine the fate of a key provision of the Voting Rights Act that became an Achilles' heel for Republican lawmakers this year. That could free Texas from federal oversight in election laws. Full Story