Texas Redistricting Hearings Conclude: All On The Line Testifies at Final Hearing
For Immediate Release:
September 18, 2021
Contact:
Fabiola Rodriguez
rodriguez@redistrictingaction.org
Today, during the last day of redistricting hearings and ahead of the special session, All On The Line (AOTL) Texas State Director, Genevieve Van Cleve delivered testimony calling for a transparent and inclusive redistricting process. As it stands, the current format of public hearings has restricted the ability of many Texans to have their voice heard in this decade’s redistricting process. The committees must conduct hearings when there are public maps available and hearings must be more transparent and accessible.
Highlights from Genevieve Van Cleve’s testimony:
“My goal in being here today is not to put my thumb on the scale for a political party, but to fight for a system where the people are the beneficiaries of these proceedings. Texas has received two new congressional seats and those two seats could -- and should -- be placed in Dallas and Harris Counties. Their placement needs to reflect what the Census has told us -- that Texas has grown astronomically and that growth has been driven by Latino, African American, and AAPI communities in urban areas.”
“This year, we must not only properly draw new districts, but undo the harm of manipulated maps from the last process. I live in Travis County, which is currently represented by 6 members of Congress. My community of interest – the City of Austin – has been cracked beyond recognition. I live about 5 miles from 4 of the 6 congressional districts that touch Travis County”
“I ask this Committee to open up the doors and let the people in. The Committee must conduct hearings when there’s actually maps available to be reviewed and they must be more transparent and accessible than these. The public must understand who the map drawers are and what methodology they use to draw the maps. I ask that you follow the spirit and letter of the law. Don’t dilute the votes or voices of communities of color. Don’t pack the cities or crack the suburbs. Respect communities of interest– and most of all – recognize the power you have to restore some integrity and dignity to the process. We’re counting on you.”
During redistricting hearings this month, Texas Republicans made it almost inaccessible for people to participate as a way to prevent them from providing their public input in this process. Hundreds of Texans nonetheless persisted to testify and there was a clear theme in their testimonies. They continued to demand a fair and transparent process and maps that accurately represent them. Below are additional testimony highlights.
“Calculated gerrymandering is destroying Austin and Travis county. District 25 has been manipulated and gerrymandered. Leadership does not represent the voices of the people,” said Mary Ellen Scribner who testified virtually.
“Minority population growth in Dallas county must reflect the new congressional district that you draw,” said Hasani Burton from Dallas county who testified virtually.
“Communities of interest are essential to us and need to [be] reflected in our maps, I urge the committee to give the public time to review proposed maps,” said Tammie Hartgroves during her virtual testimony on Wednesday.
“District lines should be drawn in our communities not to disenfranchise our voice and vote,” said Dr. Laurel Hays from Harris County.
Albert Wharley from San Antonio stated how surprised he was after realizing his San Antonio District 35 stretches all the way to UT Austin. He begged the committee to draw proper maps that reflect the people of his district and stop cracking.
“I’m concerned about gerrymandering in Dallas. Women in Texas will be watching you and will not allow you to make decisions for us,” a statement from a Dallas resident who testified virtually.
“How districts are drawn affects every political issue in our state,” said an Austin resident, who testified virtually [...] “If politicians are elected from districts that don’t reflect the actual population, you end up with situations where politicians support policies that the vast majority of people in their district oppose,” the voter said.
“I’m not here to be a Republican or a Democrat, I’m here to be a citizen of the United States, a citizen of Texas and I want my voice heard,” another voter said in testimony before the committee. She told committee members she lives in Galveston and believes Texas’s congressional, state House and Senate districts are drawn to suppress certain neighborhoods.
“Austin is a prime example. It could be in one congressional district, but it’s split among six in order to diminish the democratic vote there,” said Michael Li, senior counsel at The Brennan Center’s Democracy Project.