July 19, 2014 2:10 PM

Federal challenge to House map concludes with final testimony

DOJ seeks to find intent in Republican map drawing to exclude Latinos

The Department of Justice put former Rep. Burt Solomons’ chief of staff and committee clerk on the stand for the first time Saturday morning, closely questioning her about when, and if, minority members had the same access to the House map as key Republicans advisers in the House.

Saturday is likely the last day of trial testimony around the Department of Justice’s concerns that the 2011 Texas House and Congressional maps abridge the rights of minorities under Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act. This is not to be confused with separate actions ahead on the amended 2013 maps, which will begin in September.

This week before the three-judge federal panel was devoted to the process and results of the original 2011 House map, amended on the floor of the House during the original legislative session. Those on the docket for today included John Alford of Rice University, as well as former chief of staff Bonnie Bruce and attorney Ryan Downton, who drew the map.

By Kimberly Reeves