In this first written assignment, I want you to dig into the (deliberately) complex nature of the constitutional system. Few items make this complexity more apparent than redistricting. We will hit the various points about the entire process over the course of the semester, so some of this wont make immediate sense, but elementary searches - coupled with the information I give you here - should prepare you to write at least 150 words on the following:
Every ten years the United States conducts a census for the purpose of apportioning representatives to the U.S. House. This is mandated in the Constitution. Though not also mandated - nor even mentioned in the Constitution - each state has chosen to carve itself into districts and have each member of the their House delegation elected from the people in these districts. During the spring of 2012, the census compiled the latest round of numbers and this past spring, the Texas Legislature used it to draw these districts. Several decades ago, the Supreme Court took the additional step of mandating that each district be the same size in order to ensure equal representation.
This is where things get interesting.
The data compiled by the U.S. Census department is nuanced enough to allow district boundaries to be drawn in such a way as to give an advantage to one group (those with control over the districting process) at the expense of others (those who lack such control). The term used for this process is gerrymandering, and while it is illegal, it is commonly practiced, especially here in Texas.
Minority groups in Texas - especially the Latino community - have argued that the plans drawn by the legislature dilute their political strength, illegally. While the census reports that most of the population growth in the state was due to greater numbers of Latinos in the state, the new redistricting plan does not allow the group any additional strength. So they have challenged the plan. In addition, the plan has not been approved (pre-cleared) under rules put in place in the Voting Rights Act of 1965. At the moment the plan is on hold until the Supreme Court rules on it early next year.
By now you should be a bit confused, and with good reason. Redistricting is the type of political issue that brings into play people and interests in each branch of government and on the national, state and local levels. All I want you to do right now is search through available information and determine who those multiple players are, what their role in the process is, and how they are in conflict with other another. I suggest simply doing a search on "Texas redistricting" to compile the information necessary to answer the question.
In other words, I want you to use this current issue to come to terms with the separated powers and the checks and balances, in addition to federalism. It may not make immediate sense to you, but it will.
Give me - at a minimum - 150 words.
