Filed Date: Nov. 3, 2021
Case Ongoing
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This case involves allegations that the 2021 redistricting plans for the Texas House (Plan H2316), Texas Senate (Plan S2168), Texas State Board of Education (Plan E2106), and the U.S. House of Representatives (C2193) intentionally discriminated against Latino voters.
On November 3, 2021, the Mexican American Legislative Caucus (MALC), a non-profit organization serving members of the Texas House of Representatives, filed this lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas (El Paso). MALC sued the State of Texas, the Governor of Texas, and the Secretary of State of Texas, citing the Fourteenth and Fifteenth Amendments to the U.S. Constitution, as well as Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act. The plaintiffs were represented by private counsel, and the case was assigned to U.S. District Judge Robert L. Pitman.
The plaintiffs had three key allegations: First, the redistricting plans intentionally discriminated on the basis of race and national origin. Second, the plans used racial gerrymandering techniques such as “packing” and “cracking” of minority communities as well as inconsistent use of traditional redistricting criteria in order to avoid drawing Latino and minority opportunity districts. Third, the redistricting plans diluted the voting power of Latino communities by dramatically over-populating Latino majority districts and dramatically under-populating surrounding Anglo majority districts. The plaintiffs sought declaratory relief and attorneys’ fees. They also sought an injunction to prevent any elections under the proposed plans and to require state authorities to adopt new redistricting plans that do not minimize the voting strength of Latino voters.
On November 19, 2021, the district court consolidated MALC v. State of Texas with several other pending challenges to the redistricting plan. The consolidated cases were assigned to a three-judge panel composed of District Judges David C. Guaderrama, Jerry E. Smith, and Jeffrey V. Brown. LULAC v. Abbott was designated the lead case. As of September 2024, that litigation is ongoing.
Summary Authors
John McGinnis (9/30/2024)
Brooks v. Abbott, Western District of Texas (2021)
League of United Latin v. Abbott, Western District of Texas (None)
For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/60695433/parties/mexican-american-legislative-caucus-v-state-of-texas/
Guaderrama, David Campos (Texas)
McCaffity, Sean J. (Texas)
Quesada, George (Tex) (Texas)
Sweeten, Patrick K. (Texas)
Thompson, William Thomas (Texas)
See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/60695433/mexican-american-legislative-caucus-v-state-of-texas/
Last updated Jan. 30, 2025, 5:06 p.m.
State / Territory: Texas
Case Type(s):
Special Collection(s):
Law Firm Antiracism Alliance (LFAA) project
Key Dates
Filing Date: Nov. 3, 2021
Case Ongoing: Yes
Plaintiffs
Plaintiff Description:
A non-profit organization serving members of the Texas House of Representatives
Plaintiff Type(s):
Non-profit NON-religious organization
Public Interest Lawyer: No
Filed Pro Se: No
Class Action Sought: No
Class Action Outcome: Not sought
Defendants
Governor of the State of Texas, State
Secretary of State of Texas, State
Case Details
Causes of Action:
Voting Rights Act, section 2, 52 U.S.C. § 10301 (previously 42 U.S.C. § 1973)
Constitutional Clause(s):
Available Documents:
Outcome
Prevailing Party: None Yet / None
Nature of Relief:
Source of Relief:
Order Duration: 2021 - None
Issues