Federal Court To Hear Texas Redistricting Case

AUSTIN (AP) - A federal court is set to hear oral arguments in Washington regarding Texas' effort to adopt new election maps.

The GOP-led Legislature adopted the new district maps earlier this year to reflect population growth. But the U.S. Department of Justice says the maps for Congress and the Texas House discriminate against minority voters.

A three-judge panel has scheduled oral arguments in the case for Wednesday.

The legal fight centers around a requirement in the 1965 Voting Rights Act that certain states with a history of discrimination, including Texas, be granted "preclearance" before redistricting maps and other changes in voting practices can be enacted.

The legal standard is whether the new plan has the purpose or the effect of denying or diminishing the right to vote based on race or color.

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