NAACP Sues Texas Over Discriminatory Congressional Map
NAACP Sues Texas Over New Congressional Map, Alleging Racial Discrimination
Austin, TX – The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) has filed a lawsuit against the state of Texas, challenging the recently passed congressional map. The suit, filed Tuesday, alleges that the new map discriminates against voters of color and violates the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
The lawsuit amends a previous legal action taken by the NAACP against the state.it argues that the 2021 post-census congressional map, along with previously drawn state Senate and House maps, “dilute the voting strength of voters of color and deny them the opportunity to elect preferred candidates of their choice.” The NAACP contends that these maps were intentionally drawn by legislators and adopted by the Governor to discriminate against voters of color, violating both the U.S. Constitution and the Voting Rights Act.
In addition to the discriminatory impact of the map, the lawsuit claims that the Texas legislature failed to provide sufficient opportunity for public comment and feedback on the final version of the maps.
“It’s quite obvious that Texas’s effort to redistrict mid-decade, before next year’s midterm elections, is racially motivated,” stated NAACP President and CEO Derrick Johnson. “The state’s intent here is to reduce the members of Congress who represent Black communities, and that, in and of itself, is unconstitutional.”
The NAACP is seeking a court declaration that the new map “was enacted with an impermissible and controlling discriminatory purpose on the basis of race.” The organization is also requesting a court order to prevent the state from enforcing or using the boundaries outlined in the challenged map.
This lawsuit marks the latest chapter in the ongoing battle over voting rights and redistricting in Texas, raising critical questions about fairness, depiction, and the protection of minority voters’ voices. The outcome of this case coudl have significant implications for the political landscape of Texas and the broader fight for voting rights across the nation.