By Ed Sterling
A San Antonio federal court on Sept. 6 ordered that redistricting maps passed by the 2013 Texas Legislature will serve as interim plans and those plans would be used in upcoming elections, including 2014 elections.
Plaintiffs challenging the maps allege racial discrimination in the drawing of boundaries in certain districts.
In its order, a three-judge panel of the U.S. District Court Western District of Texas San Antonio Division noted the litigation would continue “for as long as it takes to reach a legally correct decision on very important issues, but elections must go on.” And, the panel reasoned, that because “a full, fair and final review of all issues before this Court cannot be completed prior to the upcoming deadlines for the 2014 elections” the current set of maps being challenged will stand for the time being.
The complexity of these matters increased in June after the U.S. Supreme Court, in effect, ruled that certain sections of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, and preclearance in particular, may no longer apply unless plaintiffs prove racial discrimination still exists. Prior to the ruling, Texas had been a “covered” jurisdiction, meaning that because of its history of racial discrimination in voting practices the state was subject to federal preclearance of redistricting maps and other proposed changes to election laws.
The case resulting in the order is Shannon Perez; Harold Dutton, Jr.; Gregory Tamez; Sergio Salinas; Carmen Rodriguez; Rudolfo Ortiz; Nancy Hall and Dorothy DeBose, Plaintiffs, v. State of Texas; Rick Perry, in his official capacity as Governor of the State of Texas; and Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst, House Speaker Joe Straus and Secretary of State John Steen, in their official capacities, Defendants.
Jefferson to leave office
Chief Justice Wallace B. Jefferson on Sept. 3 announced he would leave the Texas Supreme Court effective Oct. 1.
Reduction in number of cases carried over from one term to another, increases in use of technology to improve efficiency, increases in transparency and decreases in costs are listed among achievements during Jefferson’s nine-year tenure as chief.
Furthermore, in 2007 under Jefferson’s leadership, a rule was adopted to allow cameras in the courtroom “to bolster the public’s understanding of the court’s work.” In 2012, the court mandated electronic filing of court documents to decrease the cost of litigation and increase courts’ productivity.
And, as chief justice, Jefferson worked for increased funding for basic civil legal services and established the Permanent Judicial Commission for Children, Youth and Families.
Ed Sterling works for the Texas Press Association and follows the Legislature for the organization.
