Texas Redistricting Dilutes Black and Latino Voting Power Despite Population Growth

Texas adopted new congressional and legislative district maps in October 2021 following the 2020 census, which showed the state's population growth was driven almost entirely by Black, Latino, and Asian residents. Despite this, the maps reduced the number of districts where minority voters could elect their preferred candidates. The DOJ sued Texas in December 2021, arguing the maps violated Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act. Federal courts found the maps likely violated the VRA; the cases proceeded through appeals. Texas's redistricting drew comparisons to its post-Civil Rights Act history of repeated racially gerrymandered maps struck down by courts.