. .
circle_small0.gif (2760 bytes)
 


Texas:
What PR super districts might look like

This map is an example of how full representation voting systems -- such as choice voting, one-vote voting and cumulative voting � can be vehicles for providing fair representation for black voters.  Existing U.S. House districts, numbered 1 through 30, have been combined into two larger "super districts", labeled A through G.  The voting-age-populations (VAP) and minority shares of these populations are shown below. (B = Primarily Black L = Primarily Latino) The percentage of votes necessary to win is based on use of a full representation voting system.

By our informal count, representation would increase like this:

Black Representation:
Texas now elects two Black Members of Congress: Eddie Bernice Johnson and Sheila Jackson Lee. Under the PR model shown, there could be four.

Hispanic Representation:
Texas now elects six Hispanic Members of Congress, five Democrats, one Republican. Under the PR model shown, there could be eight.

In 1967,Congress passed a law requiring states to use one-seat U.S. House districts. This year, Congressman Mel Watt has introduced a bill called the States' Choice of Voting Systems Act (HR 1173) which would lift this requirement.  Similar super-district plans could be used for local and state redistricting plans in 2001-2.
 

  

District  A
3 seats		 District  H
3 seats		 District  G
5 seats
Population:  1,704,461 1,695,289 2,825,535
Population per seat: 568,154 565,096 565,107
Winning Percentage: 25% 25% 16.7%
Minority % of VAP: 22.1%  L 19.9%  B 28.6%  B
Voting Rights Analysis: Latino voters could 
join others to elect 
1 candidate.		 Black voters could
 join others to elect 
1 candidate.		 Black voters could 
elect 1 candidate 
of choice.
 
 
   District  B
5 seats		 District  C
3 seats		 District  D
3 seats
Population:  2,849,892 1,699,644 1,701,354
Population per seat: 569,978 566,555 567,118
Winning Percentage: 16.7% 25% 25%
Minority % of VAP: 55.3%  L 28%  L 56.2%  L
Voting Rights Analysis: Latino voters could
elect 3 candidates.		 Latino voters could
elect 1 candidate.		 Latino voters could
elect 2 candidates.

B = Primarily Black    L = Primarily Latino

   District  E (Harris County)
5 seats		 District  F
3 seats
Population:  2,818,199 1,700,320
Population per seat: 563,640 566,773
Winning Percentage: 16.7% 25%
Minority % of VAP: 40% 28%  B
Black % of VAP: 17.8%  
Latino % of VAP: 20.2%  
Voting Rights Analysis: Black and Latino voters could each
elect one candidate of choice.		 Black voters could join
others to elect 1 candidate.

For more information, contact:

The Center for Voting and Democracy
www.fairvote.org
[email protected]
301-270-4616