As LWV-Texas and local League chapters begin their campaign for the establishment of an independent Redistricting Commission, here’s what citizens need to know about the way redistricting works now, why we need change, what kind of change are we pushing for, and what’s next in our campaign.

Q. Why is redistricting necessary?

A.

§    Districts are supposed to be drawn so that the votes of all citizens are of equal importance.

§    Changes in population or in the number of Congressional representatives for the state require redrawing the districts.

Q. What principles govern the drawing of districts?

A.

§    Districts must have equal or nearly equal populations.

§    Districts must be drawn in a manner that does not have the effect of denying or abridging the right to vote on the basis of race or language group.

§    Counties must be preserved within one district if possible.

Why does the League of Women Voters advocate an independent Redistricting Commission?

§    As it stands now, Texas, like most states, places the power to shape the boundaries of political districts into the hands of politicians. That means our elected officials are picking their constituents, rather than the other way around. If the majority party draws the districts, they are most likely to draw them to protect their party’s power and to reduce the power of the minority party. Consequently, redistricting has evolved into an electoral instrument that serves to protect and strengthen the incumbency advantage, therefore disempowering voters and undermining democratic accountability.

§    Excessive zeal in redistricting to empower a party is very divisive and more than once has led to situations that make it difficult for parties to work together for the good of the state. It is easy for all concerned to look both foolish and vindictive.

§    This is the year we need to establish an independent commission so that we will have new procedures in place before the next census.

Why Should We Support Senator Wentworth’s bill?

§    Senator Jeff Wentworth (R-San Antonio) has been presenting a bill for the establishment of an independent Redistricting Commission for 15 years, and in the last two sessions his bill passed the Senate but was never brought to a vote in the House. This year citizens can make it happen if we all work together.

  §    Redistricting Commission for Congress Wentworth’s bill calls for a Redistricting Commission to draw the district lines of the U.S. House of Representati ves. The League would like to see this Commission draw the districts for the Texas Legislature and the State Board of Education, too.

   But passing this bill would be a good step forward and might make it easier to give the commission broader responsibilities later. In addition, there might be a Texas Legislator who would push through amendments to Senator Wentworth’s proposal.

§    The Wentworth Plan calls for a Commission of eight voting members – four Republicans and four Democrats, all chosen by members of the Texas Legislature. None could hold or be running for a political position. This group would select a non-voting chair to preside. Such a structure would force fair and principled redistricting plans, since the process would never be controlled by one party.