Texas is an Hispanically Underrepresented State
I drew up this analysis following the Texas passing of the anti-abortion law, but never published it, since it was mainly a repeat of the data. But now Texas is about to engage in gerrymanding for Republican dominance for yet another decade of disenfranchisement. Despite their passage of voter suppression laws aimed at Democrats and minorities, the damage to the state legislature is already done when gerrymandering takes place. The voter suppression works on statewide elections for Senators, Governor, and President.
From apps.texastribune.org we see the racial demographics for their entire legislature should be:
Race: Population Cut: Actual:
White: 74 110
Hispanic: 72 46
Black: 22 19
Asian: 9 4
Instead of Hispanic being 1:1 with Whites, Whites dominate by 2.4 to 1.0.
Of course, Asian Americans and Black Americans are also underrepresented.
Republicans in the legislature are: Whites, 94; Hispanic, 2; Black, 1; and Asian, 2; totaling 100, with one not having a determined racial identity.
Democrats in the legislature are: Whites, 16; Hispanic, 44; Black, 18; and Asian, 2; totaling 80.
Normally, there are 181 legislators, but one seat was unfilled when the legislature began in 2021, so Democrats total 80, or 44%, and Republicans 56%.
We see that Democrats are largely people of color. The new Texas voting law will discriminate against people of color, and therefore Democrats. Republicans are incredibly White at 94%.
For Gender demographics, of the 181 members of the legislature, women have increased up to 48 seats now, or 26.5%. Of the 48 women, 35 are Democrats, and 13 are Republicans, so 73% are Democrats. Of the 132 men, 87 are Republicans, and 45 or 34% are Democrats. Of course, the Republican women do not necessarily represent women’s rights as defined by Democrats, and most of the Democratic men do.
The votes on the Texas anti-abortion bill, SB8, were, on 5/13/2021 in the Senate: Yes 19 from 18 Rs and 1D; and No 12, all Ds.
In the House, the recorded votes on SB8 on 5/6/2021 were: Yes 83, No 64, not voting 1, and absent 2.
The bill was signed by Governor Greg Abbott on 5/19/2021 and went into effect on September 1, 2021.
