Judge: Keep Negotiating Texas Redistricting Deal

Published February 6, 2012 11:09PM (EST)

SAN ANTONIO (AP) — A federal judge has ordered all sides in the Texas redistricting lawsuit to keep talking, saying a proposed agreement doesn't have enough support.

Attorney General Greg Abbott had said several minority groups agreed Monday to a plan that would put two new congressional seats in Hispanic-dominated districts for this year's elections. But the announcement prompted immediate backlash groups that said it wasn't a compromise.

Judge Orlando Garcia noted Monday was the deadline for all parties to agree. He told them to keep talking.

Garcia and two other San Antonio-based federal judges are hearing a lawsuit that alleges redistricting maps drawn by the Republican-controlled Texas Legislature are discriminatory.

The judges say that if the groups and attorney general can't draft compromise maps by Monday, then the April 3 primary will be delayed.


By Salon Staff

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