Federal court orders Texas voting map changes ahead of 2018

By PAUL J. WEBER
Associated Press

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) - A federal court has ruled that Texas' congressional maps are still flawed by racial gerrymandering and must be partially redrawn before the 2018 elections.

The decision Tuesday ordered changes to two of Texas' 36 congressional districts. One is held by Democrat Lloyd Doggett of Austin and the other by Republican Blake Farenthold.

The ruling was not a complete victory for Democrats and minority rights groups that wanted more sweeping changes. The same three-judge panel in San Antonio had ruled earlier this year that Texas Republicans intentionally discriminated against minorities while drafting new maps in 2011.

The court is giving Texas until the end of the week to decide whether to give its GOP-controlled Legislature the first crack at making the changes or handle the revisions in court.

Copyright 2017 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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