Sen. Wendy Davis, D-Fort Worth, filibusters in May. Much of the Senate map debate is focused on her district. Associated Press archives
Texas Republicans will face off against Democrats and minority advocacy groups this week in the first trial related to contested redistricting maps approved by the Legislature earlier this year.
The federal case in San Antonio is just one part of a complex legal fight taking place both in Texas and Washington, D.C., to determine what political boundaries will shape the state's politics for the next decade.
Both sides say that winning the legal battle is a fight for democracy.
"I'm ready to have my day in court," said state Rep. Marc Veasey, D-Fort Worth, one of multiple plaintiffs in the San Antonio suit. "Hopefully we can effect change and make sure the voters in southeast Fort Worth are treated fairly this time."
Republicans have framed the battle as proof of Democratic desperation.
"Democrats know that they have a better chance of winning in the courthouse with their liberal trial lawyer friends than at the ballot box with common sense voters who are sick of tax and spend policies," Texas Republican Party Chairman Steve Munisteri recently wrote on the party's website.
The Texas Legislature approved new political boundaries this year to reflect population changes. Virtually every Democratic lawmaker decried the plans as a Republican effort to dilute the voting strength of minority voters.
More than a dozen lawsuits were filed. Several have been consolidated into the case in San Antonio. At the same time, Texas requested that a Washington, D.C., federal court assess whether the new maps are in compliance with the Voting Rights Act. Traditionally, state officials have gone directly to the U.S. Justice Department to get federal clearance.
Judges in the two main federal cases are expected to rule this year but legal wrangling could stretch into 2013 if either case is appealed to the Supreme Court.
District Judge Orlando Garcia confirmed this week that the San Antonio trial will begin today and conclude by Sept. 16.
The congressional and state Senate plans are drawing the most attention with North Texas districts playing a prominent role in the legal back and forth.
Regarding the Senate map, much of the debate is focused on District 10, represented by Democrat Wendy Davis. Critics allege that Democratic-leaning minority communities were moved out of the district and into ones where their votes will be drowned out to ensure that a Republican can defeat Davis next year.
Last month, Davis and Veasey received permission to intervene in the federal pre-clearance review of the state Senate plans in Washington, D.C.
"They basically have a seat at the table," Davis spokesman Anthony Spangler said. "They can call witnesses. They can file motions."
Davis sat on a conference call with Justice Department officials about redistricting this week, Spangler said. She had planned to fly to Washington, D.C., for an in-person meeting but her flight was canceled due to Hurricane Irene, he said.
Steve Bickerstaff, an adjunct professor at the University of Texas Law School and a redistricting expert, said judges could make the most changes in the congressional map.
"Congressional is the most problematic," Bickerstaff said. "It has a number of districts that could be subject to objection."
Groups like the Texas Latino Redistricting Task Force and the League of United Latin American Citizens are among those arguing that lawmakers ignored the state's minority population when it created four new congressional seats. Both say a minority opportunity seat could have been drawn connecting eastern Tarrant County and western Dallas County.
Both sides are soliciting donations to cover legal costs.
Davis began a fundraising campaign last week, Spangler said.
On the Texas Republican Party website, Munisteri posted an appeal for donations to a defense fund and contended that Democrats "are suing for no other reason than to distract us from electing Republicans and to waste our funds."
Austin bureau chief Dave Montgomery contributed to this report.
I read somewhere that one of Perry's strengths is his ability to get out the vote. I know, forget it, but ooi, wonder if voting was ever made compulsory, who would that favor?
Over time Democrats .. am guessing .. then again it would depend on party policy and performance .. at least more would vote then.
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