Voting Rights

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The Gerrymander: A Partisan Strategy Dance That’s all the Rage

The legislative tussle over Texas redistricting has ended, and now a legal battle is about to begin.

After three special sessions, Republican state senators have triumphed by passing a new congressional district map through the state’s two houses. The map shifts 9.8 million Texans into new districts, transferring as many as eight seats to Republicans. The GOP claims that this is fair because the old map caused Texas Republicans to be underrepresented.

Republican Lt. Governor David Dewhurst argues that the districting shuffle is necessary because most Texans support George Bush, and yet Democrats dominate the state legislature. To Dewhurst and the state’s Republican representatives, this fact obviates an injustice. However, isn’t it possible that some Texans voted for and support Bush for reasons beyond devout Republicanism? Perhaps some Texans support Bush because he used to be their governor.

A lot to lose

The state’s Democrats argue that the redistricting plan will compromise the rights of Texas minority groups. Many of the reps who are likely to lose their seats represent immigrant, African American, and Chicano communities. Democratic legislators are so against the district switch that they fled the state in order to break quorum. [For more on Texas Democrats’ self-imposed exile, click here.]

Republicans also have a lot to gain (and thus to lose) from redistricting. The party’s power is likely to grow considerably if they take control over this large state. For this reason, U.S. Congressman Tom Delay made Texas redistricting one of his top priorities.

DeLay’s baby

U.S. Representative Tom DeLay should take much of the credit for the Texas redistricting. He has been a fundraiser and diplomat for the cause since the very beginning.

In 2002, he founded Texans for a Republican Majority, a group whose purpose was to win the Texas House. The effort was successful, thanks to DeLay’s fundraising skills; he raised over one million dollars for the state races. The Houston Chronicle reports that much of that money was donated by companies interested in legislation before the U.S. House, not the Texas House. DeLay, the Majority Leader, brushed off the accusations.

In addition to playing fundraiser, Delay also filled the role of strategist and mentor, encouraging Republican state senators to stick with the redistricting effort no matter the obstacle. In early October 2003, the new district map appeared to be doomed due to fighting among Republican state representatives, so DeLay flew in, had a few meetings, and the issue was resolved.

Throughout the redistricting endeavor, DeLay made it clear to state lawmakers that winning Texas was important to the strength of the Bush administration. Why? How does a state legislature affect the national political climate?

State politics can support or threaten federal politics. Strengthening the party infrastructure, especially in Bush’s home state, is essential to winning the 2004 elections. By creating new voting blocks in the large and powerful state of Texas, DeLay has fortified his party’s base, as well as undermined the opposing party.

Legal eagles

Despite their loss in the legislature, Democrats remain hopeful. They believe that the new district map will be struck down in federal court for violating the Voting Rights Act, which protects the rights of minority voters.

Democrats may have a case since the new district map dilutes minority voting power. It divides poor, immigrant, and minority communities and mixes the pieces in with largely white Republican communities. The minority communities thus become engulfed and overwhelmed by the majority.

The Supreme Court will be deciding a similar case this term, and the outcome is sure to have an impact on the Texas situation. Vieth v. Jubelirer is an appeal by Pennsylvania Democrats who are insisting that their state’s district map is the result of unconstitutional gerrymandering.

Gerry who?

According to fairvote.org, "gerrymandering is a term that describes the deliberate rearrangement of the boundaries of congressional districts to influence the outcome of elections."

In 1986, the Supreme Court ruled gerrymandering to be unconstitutional if its result hinders the will of the majority. In Pennsylvania, about half of the state’s voters are Democrats, but the party holds only 7 of the state’s 19 Congressional districts.

Texas Democrats agree with their Pennsylvania counterparts and have filed court briefs to support them.

The Supreme Court ruling could block the Republican redistricting strategy for good, and order Texas and Pennsylvania to redraw their boundaries once again.

To read more about redistricting and voting rights, click here. Discuss this topic with other WomenMatter readers in one of our online forums. Or, contact your representatives, and let them know how you feel about redistricting.

Update Posted on: 10/13/2003

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