A 4-week trial is underway over Texas redistricting maps, with the plaintiffs claiming that the Texas legislature has diluted the Hispanic voting power, specifically in Houston and Dallas.
"The plaintiffs are asking the court to throw out the existing maps, and force the legislature to redraw them, so that there are more Democratic majority districts" said Brad Johnson, senior reporter with the Texas who is covering the case which is taking place in El Paso before a 3-judge panel.
Challenging redistricting maps is nothing new in Texas. In fact, it's happened just about every time since the 60's and 70's. So the Dems are doing what they're supposed to do by trying to fight it, but proving their case and beating the state is highly unlikely.
"The state is arguing just flatly that the legislature has almost sole discretion on how to draw maps, where to draw them, and what to make the districts look like" Johnson told KTRH.
He notes that the Dems are also refusing to acknowledge all of the gains that Republicans made with Hispanic voters during the past election, and even if the case makes it all the way to the State Supreme Court, the Texas redistricting maps are expected to remain the same.