From the President’s Office

Action Requested for Dallas Redistricting Advocates!

The Texas legislature is revisiting redistricting. Please read this message from Joyce LeBombard, President of LWVTX, that she sent to the local presidents yesterday:

Redistricting Update

Last week, the Senate took steps to start the redistricting process once again. Senator Huffman filed legislation (SB375) that would "ratify" the exact same senate map that was passed last fall in a special session. This is, in part, due to their interpretation of the state constitution that says redistricting must occur in a regular, legislative session.  

On Wednesday, the Texas Senate adopted Senate Resolution 2 (SR2), which calls for virtual, regional public input hearings to be held to collect public input on the map. The question is why hold multiple public hearings when you plan to adopt the exact same map? These hearings are nothing but a sham. They are an illusion of a fair and open process. 

We do not want to lose some of the legislative record that was created during the special session (testimony, committee layouts, floor debates, etc.). Much of this previous work was included in the record for the lawsuits that have been filed challenging the current map. 

Take Action - We need your help with redistricting!

It is crucial that you provide testimony once again, in case we have to recreate the legislative record. You have a few options to do so:

1. Resubmit your written testimony from the last session, and also add in comments about the sham hearings/process. Again, why hold regional hearings if you've already stated that you are not changing the maps?
2. Sign up to provide virtual testimony. Remember, you can provide input at any of the hearings, not just the hearing that covers your region of the state. Please be sure to notify the committee clerk if someone in your group needs language assistance, and please reach out to us if they deny your request, like they did last session.
3. Prepare new testimony that talks about how you have been impacted by the current maps:

• Did you lose your candidate of choice?
• How has your community been impacted by the new map?
• What new policy issues have impacted/continue to impact your community?
• Are you now mixed in with communities located in far off places, ones that have very different needs?
• Has your new senator been responsive to your needs so far?
• Are there any new problems pertaining to discrimination that you have faced, whether it be in elections or some other policy area like housing, healthcare, the environment?

Thank you for your continued dedication to this important issue!