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The Supreme Court has upheld Texas' use of districts that a lower court had deemed racially discriminatory.
The 5-4 ruling on Monday is related to a case involving congressional and state districts that was first agreed to on an interim basis then later approved by Texas legislators.
At issue in the case is whether several boundaries drawn to create legislative and congressional districts dilute the voting strength of racial minorities. Civil rights groups and some state lawmakers have for years challenged the districts' lines, arguing they were drawn in a way that discriminates against minority voters.
The ruling applies to 11 districts, including congressional District 27, which encompasses all of the Corpus Christi area.
All but one, House District 90, occupied by Democrat Ramon Romero, Jr. of Fort Worth, were deemed lawful, according to the court's majority opinion.
"When the congressional and state legislative districts are reviewed under the proper legal standards, all but one of them, we conclude, are lawful," the opinion delivered by Justice Samuel Alito states.
Ed Espinoza, executive director of Progress Texas, condemned the decision in a statement released Monday, calling the ruling "disgraceful."
"Republicans used every trick in the book to stifle the voice and vote of thousands of people — and that is why progressives will continue fighting on behalf of every Texan who deserves a fair shot," Espinoza said.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
This is a developing story. Check back to Caller.com for updates.
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