The House Redistricting Committee met on September 8 to hear public testimony concerning the Texas redistricting process based on the 2020 U.S. Census data. The committee also heard invited testimony from the State Demographer Dr. Lloyd Potter. A video of the hearing can be found here.
This report is intended to give you an overview and highlight of the discussions on the various topics taken up. It is not a verbatim transcript of the discussions but is based upon what was audible or understandable to the observer and the desire to get details out as quickly as possible with few errors or omissions.
Opening Comments
Chair Todd Hunter
- Members Moody, Morrison, and Murr are attending virtually
- House committees can take virtual and in-person testimony
- There will be future public hearings after the beginning of Special Session
- Demographer Lloyd Potter will be coming back on Monday for further presentation
Invited Testimony
Lloyd Potter, Office of the State Demographer and Director of the Texas Demographic Center
- The apportionment file was released April 26 which is the basis for the population size of the district; redistricting file was released on Sept 12
- The apportionment file shows Texas 2020 population with roughly 25 million people almost 4 million new Texans
- Texas will get 2 new congressional seats
- Population growth
- Overall- 15.9%
- White Non-Hispanic- 1.6%
- African American- 19.3%
- Hispanic- 20.9%
- Asian- 64.6%
- People who selected two or more races on their form grew significantly; This also might show that people are answering the census differently than before
- % Contribution to total change
- White – 4.7%
- African American- 14%
- Hispanic- 50%
- Asian- 15%
- Other- 16.5%
- There are 143 counties that have lost population over the decade; over half of Texas counties
- San Antonio, Houston, Austin, Dallas, and Fort Worth are growing rapidly so their districts will have to get smaller geographically.
- The Hispanic population has declined in over 100 counties; The African American population has declined in around 80
- The goal is that the largest district is no more than 10% larger than the smallest district
Public Testimony
Jessica Fausak, Self
- Congressional district 25, neutral stance
- Argues that no congressional districting has adhered to section 2 of the Voting rights in 1965 and that voting is not fair or compact
- Wants to establish an Independent Redistricting Commission (IRC) to draw the next district better
Corlie Jackson, Self
- From Galveston, Texas and testifies that restricting needs to be fair, transparent and non-partisan as history shows that Texas has not always done this.
- Feels that gerrymandering hurts people because reps do not up vote for the community they are supposed to be representing.
- Thompson- Could you tell us what you mean by transparent?
- In the past, the public has not been able to view the districting until it was completely published; I want to make sure the public is involved, and I want the chance to respond
- Thompson- What do you mean by gerrymandering?
- The lines were drawn with partisan and racial purposes; They make it so communities of color votes won’t count by splitting them up or putting them in an area where they can’t make an impact
- Thompson- Do you feel your participation in voting has been suppressed because of gerrymandering?
- I would say yes
Arnetta Murray, Self
- Council woman representing her elderly parents who live in Houston and feel they don’t have a voice
- Wants to make sure the lines are drawn fairly and wants a committee of citizens to do it instead of legislators
- Thompson- What do you mean by saying you want the lines fairly drawn?
- I want representation that will implement grown for communities. If the lines are changed for the worst, they will have no voice again. I want to ensure they are included.
- Thompson- Where your parents live in South Park, Is there gentrification?
- Yes, there is a lot of gentrifications. I’m concerned about safety and healthcare. I feel that they are being snuffed out.
- Thompson- You feel that if the people aren’t drawing the lines themselves then things won’t change
- Absolutely
- Thompson- Right now, the law states the legislators must draw the lines. Do you think the legislators need to include the community in the process?
- It is vital to find a way to bridge the gap and involve the people
Mary Selby, Self
- Travis county resident who is testifying for fair and transparent redistricting
- Asks that the committee to commit to public testimony before publishing maps with enough time to digest them
- Also asks for legislators to justify their reasons behind redistricting
Melissa Lum, Self
- From Dallas County, and asks for the map writing process to be fair and transparent
- She asks for the Coppell Valley Ranch school district to stay together and feels that representatives cannot be helpful if they are in different districts
- She also brings up a large concern for flooding and feels that having a split district will make the weather conditions worse and unapproachable for representatives
David McAuley, Self
- Lives in Austin and feels that equal representation will lead to civic responsibility and patriotism
- Wants maps that are fair and competitive