Run time: 07:04
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W4ddhHL8HsM
Posted on YouTube: September 21, 2011
By YouTube Member: TheBigPictureRT
Views on YouTube: 24
Posted on DU: September 21, 2011
By DU Member: thomhartmann
Views on DU: 747 |
Ian Millhiser, Center for American Progress joins Thom Hartmann. In our “How Republicans are rigging the 2012 election” news…the Department of Justice smacked down Texas yesterday - claiming that Governor Rick Perry is in violation of the Voting Rights Act - with his approval of the Lone Star state’s redistricting plan. Every ten years - state legislatures carve up congressional districts in their states based on the latest census data information. And in Texas this year - Republican lawmakers deliberately carved up the state to marginalize and weaken Latino voters by splitting up minority communities - and making sure they were included in districts with overwhelming majorities of Republican voters. The DOJ argues Rick Perry’s new redistricting plan violates section 5 of the Voting Rights Act - which forces lawmakers to “maintain or increase the ability of minority voters to elect their candidate of choice in each district.” Under normal procedures - state legislatures have to seek prior approval by the DOJ for new redistricting - but Texas skipped that step. Now - a hearing is scheduled for Wednesday where a 3-judge panel will issue a final ruling. But Republicans in Texas aren't alone - there are efforts all around the nation - in places like Pennsylvania and Nebraska - to rig next year's election - even before any candidates have been selected
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