NAACP sues Texas over redistricting plan eliminating Democratic seats
The NAACP Files Lawsuit Against Texas Over Redistricting Plan
The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) has taken legal action against Texas over its redistricting plan that would eliminate five Democratic congressional seats. The lawsuit was filed on Tuesday, with the NAACP arguing that the new congressional map was enacted with a discriminatory purpose based on race. Texas Governor Greg Abbott and Secretary of State Jane Nelson are named as plaintiffs in the lawsuit.
NAACP President and CEO Derrick Johnson stated, “It’s quite obvious that Texas’s effort to redistrict mid-decade, before next year’s midterm elections, is racially motivated. The state’s intent here is to reduce the members of Congress who represent Black communities, and that, in and of itself, is unconstitutional.”
In response to the new Texas map, the NAACP is also encouraging blue states to enact their own redistricting plans to offset the effects. The organization is urging states like California and New York to pass new electoral maps to ensure that Black Americans still have a voice in Congress.
Despite weeks of Democrats breaking quorum in an attempt to block the redistricting vote, Texas passed its new map on Saturday. The Republican-controlled state Senate and House both approved the map, leading to a political victory for Governor Abbott.
The redistricting battle has now spread nationwide, with California Governor Gavin Newsom and state Democrats passing their own new map. This map creates five new districts that lean Democratic, potentially jeopardizing Republican-held seats. However, the new map in California will first face a statewide vote on November 4, with an estimated cost of $230 million.
In response to criticism over the cost of the special election, Newsom’s office defended the decision, stating, “There’s no price tag for democracy.”
The legal battle over redistricting is ongoing, with both Texas and California at the center of the debate. The outcome of these lawsuits will have significant implications for representation in Congress.
Contributed by Anders Hagstrom, a reporter with Fox News Digital covering national politics and major breaking news events. For tips, contact Anders.Hagstrom@Fox.com or follow him on Twitter at @Hagstrom_Anders.
