Rick Perry signed a voter ID law that ranks among the toughest in the United States. Judges noted the "strong racial tension and heated debate about Latinos, Spanish-speaking people, undocumented immigrants and sanctuary cities" that served as the backdrop in the Legislature to Texas' adopting the maps and the voter ID law. The Obama administration had brought the muscle of the U.S. Justice Department into Texas to help challenge both the maps and voter ID law. It was not yet clear whether the Trump administration also will drop opposition to Texas' maps. A 2013 U.S. Supreme Court ruling did away with preclearance by striking down a key provision in the federal Voting Rights Act.

Source: Los Angeles Times March 11, 2017 21:12 UTC