Defense Makes Final Arguments On Texas Voting Plan
SAN ANTONIO (AP) - Attorneys for the state are giving their final defense of Texas' new redistricting plan before a federal court.
The two-week trial was expected to finish Friday, after the state's closing arguments before a three-judge federal panel in San Antonio. The plaintiffs, including minority groups and Democrats, wrapped up their arguments Thursday.
Several minority and Democratic groups sued the state, saying the new map doesn't reflect a statewide surge in Hispanic growth over the past decade. They want more so-called "opportunity districts" for Hispanic voters to elect the candidate of their choice.
But the Texas attorney general's office, which is defending the state, says the map wasn't drawn with prejudice and preserves the voting power of minorities.
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