A panel of federal judges has ruled that Texas’s Republican-led legislature gerrymandered some of the state’s congressional districts to stunt the growing influence of minority voters. It invalidated three congressional districts in south and west Texas and in the Austin area. The challenge to the districts was supported by the Obama administration’s Justice Department lawyers. Rick Perry (R) signed a voter ID law that a federal appeals court ultimately found discriminates against minorities. [Justice Department changes position in Texas voting rights case]If Texas appeals the redistricting decision, it will go directly to the Supreme Court.

Source: Washington Post March 12, 2017 00:00 UTC