Member-only story

Gerrymandering in Texas: Steve Bickerstaff's Role in Suppressing Minority Voting Power

Fred Foster

·12.4k Followers· Follow

Published in Gerrymandering Texas Steve Bickerstaff

4 min read

359 View Claps

59 Respond

Save

Listen

Gerrymandering is the manipulation of electoral district boundaries to give one political party an unfair advantage over its opponents. It is a practice that has been used for centuries, but it has become increasingly sophisticated and widespread in recent years.

In 2011, Steve Bickerstaff, a Republican operative, was hired by the Texas legislature to redraw the state's electoral districts. Bickerstaff's plan, which was eventually adopted by the legislature, resulted in the creation of several heavily gerrymandered districts that suppressed the voting power of minority groups, particularly African Americans and Latinos.

Gerrymandering Texas

by Steve Bickerstaff

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	2326 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	217 pages

This article examines Bickerstaff's role in the gerrymandering of Texas and the impact that his plan has had on the state's political landscape.

Background

The Voting Rights Act of 1965 was designed to protect the voting rights of minority groups. The Act prohibits any state from implementing any voting practice or procedure that discriminates on the basis of race or color.

In 2013, the Supreme Court struck down Section 4 of the Voting Rights Act, which required states with a history of racial discrimination in voting to obtain federal approval before making changes to their voting laws. This decision has made it easier for states to gerrymander their electoral districts in ways that suppress the voting power of minority groups.

Steve Bickerstaff and the Gerrymandering of Texas

Steve Bickerstaff is a Republican operative who has worked on redistricting efforts in several states. In 2011, he was hired by the Texas legislature to redraw the state's electoral districts.

Bickerstaff's plan, which was eventually adopted by the legislature, resulted in the creation of several heavily gerrymandered districts that suppressed the voting power of minority groups. For example, in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, Bickerstaff's plan created a district that was 70% African American but only elected one African American representative.

Bickerstaff's plan has been challenged in court, and several federal courts have ruled that it is unconstitutional. However, the Supreme Court has not yet ruled on the case.

The Impact of Gerrymandering in Texas

The gerrymandering of Texas has had a significant impact on the state's political landscape. It has made it more difficult for minority groups to elect candidates of their choice, and it has given the Republican Party an unfair advantage in state elections.

For example, in the 2018 midterms, Democrats won the popular vote in Texas by a margin of 2.6%, but they only won 12 of the state's 36 congressional seats. This is largely due to the fact that the Republican-controlled legislature has gerrymandered the state's electoral districts in a way that favors the Republican Party.

Gerrymandering is a serious threat to our democracy. It undermines the principle of one person, one vote, and it makes it more difficult for minority groups to participate fully in the political process.

Steve Bickerstaff's role in the gerrymandering of Texas is a case study in how this practice can be used to suppress the voting power of minority groups. Bickerstaff's plan has had a significant impact on the state's political landscape, and it has made it more difficult for Democrats to win elections in Texas.

We must all work to end gerrymandering and ensure that all Americans have an equal voice in our democracy.

Gerrymandering Texas

by Steve Bickerstaff

5 out of 5