Chairman Garnet Coleman on Texas House Map Being Ruled Unconstitutional
April 20, 2017
AUSTIN—Today, April 20, 2017, a panel of San Antonio-based judges found that lawmakers deliberately weakened votes of people of color in drawing the Texas House district maps in 2011. Chairman Coleman released the following statement:
“Today a panel of federal judges confirmed what we have known since 2011—that Texas lawmakers drew House districts with the intent to disenfranchise people of color. I produced demonstration maps to appropriately represent and protect communities of color in Texas alongside Harris County Representatives and my colleagues in the Texas House. I also testified at both the Washington D.C. and San Antonio hearings on how the maps were drawn by the Texas Legislature intentionally discriminated against communities of color. I am glad to hear the Court made the correct ruling and I will continue to work with my fellow members to protect the voting rights of people of color in Texas.”
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