Source: ThinkProgress.Org

Minorities are the majority in Texas, but state and district maps purposefully do not reflect this, according to a major redistricting court case. In a trial that could have major implications for other cases across the country—as well as for millions of Texans of color—three judges in San Antonio are spending this week listening to arguments alleging that Texas Republicans redrew the state’s district map in order to put minorities at a disadvantage. With elections in 2018 looming large, Texas progressives are especially keen to counter what they say is a clear effort to hinder minority voters at the polls. The issue continues to be in the news due to judges ruling this past spring that three of the state’s congressional districts were drawn illegally — violating the Voting Rights Act, which prohibits racial discrimination in voting. The decision was a victory for minority groups, who argue the current maps were always meant to be temporary, and should be redrawn before elections are held in 2018.