The city wants to cut back on single members districts and expand at large seats. Since single member districts were instituted in order to enhance minority representation, the cutback is taken to be a way to limit it.
The measure, Proposition One, is among the first litmus tests for the high court's June ruling in a Southern state, and if successful could trigger similar redistricting efforts elsewhere.
Four council members from the older, predominantly Hispanic north end oppose the restructuring. They note that the U.S. Justice Department rejected this exact plan as potentially discriminatory, but now the pre-clearance requirement has been voided and opened the door for reconsideration.
"We are standing our ground against the change," said Cody Wheeler, one of two Hispanics on the council.
Opponents contend Proposition One is a "power grab" by the mayor, who was first elected to the council four decades ago and has served off and on ever since. They say the mayor doesn't like the changes that he's seeing in Harris County's second-largest city, population 150,000, that once gained fame for its refineries and Gilley's bar as featured in "Urban Cowboy," starring John Travolta and Debra Winger.
Just as important as the possible racial aspects to the measure is a deep geographic divide, a kind of civil war between the northern, more Hispanic part of town and the more affluent southern end of the city.
Mayor Johnny Isbell and four council members from the more conservative southern side of town argue that the charter change would provide each citizen with more representation. They say each voter would then be able to elect three council members, instead of just one, to represent them.
Here's the sample ballot from Pasadena with the language of Proposition One.
Texas Redistricting.org weighs in.
