New elections and redistricting happens during this time as well. Whether you're conservative or liberal, democratic or republican, these changes may be in your favor.
We are approaching 2020, we may be assigned to a new district with the constant growth of the population in this state. While redistricting may seem simple, what's the fun in that? Gerrymandering is the outcome of having these changes in your favor. Being able to manipulate areas to keep your party at an advantage is a pro of being elected. Though it is not everyones intention, it still happens and will continue is as long as you have the right amount of people and minorities per district.
As we are considered a red and proud state, a good percentage of us identify with blue. With the House of Representatives, there are about 67 Democrat's and 83 Republicans. This gives us a total of 150 seats which translates into 150 districts, one per representative. Republicans have the majority. For the Senate, we sit at 12 Democrat's and 19 Republicans, 31 Senate districts. Again, Republicans have the upper hand.
You would think with so many people on board, the shapes would be pleasing to the eye.
That is definitely not the case, as long as the numbers match up and the groups are managed, everything is considered okay. This is an issue, but it is simply too much work for us to attempt to make the perfect map and we'll continue to live in this tetris state.
In my classmate Sam's blog, he thoroughly explains the concerning factor of redistricting and gerrymandering. Texas, as long as many other states redistrict every ten years according to the census. With that being said, the number of Democrats vs. Republicans in both chambers of the house play a big role in whether or not the representation of minorities and political parties are accurate. As of right now, Republicans have the majority of both the House and the Senate. This means that Texas will be redrawn according to the likings of Republicans, leaving the Democrats at a disadvantage due to the lack in numbers of people. Sam brings up an important point, "This is an issue, but it is simply too much work for us too attempt to make the perfect map, and we'll continue to live in a Tetris State." Politicians don't seem to care whether or no representation is equal throughout the districts, they only care about getting votes and have their "party" numbers increase.
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