How federal hearing on congressional district map could affect Central Texas

A federal battle of Texas' congressional district map is underway in San Antonio.

In March, a federal court ruled that three Texas congressional districts are invalid because the boundary lines weakened the growing voting power of minorities.

Austin is split into five congressional districts, four are represented by Republican congressmen

"Austin is an incredibly gerrymandered big city," said Lisa Goodgame with Indivisible Austin, a national movement focused on holding members of Congress accountable.

In March, a federal court ruled the congressional district map, drawn by the Texas legislature in 2011 intentionally weakened the voting power of minorities

"Our voting power is diluted, whether it's with respect to political party or minority voting strength," Goodgame said.

District 35, represented by Democrat Lloyd Doggett has been referred to as the most gerrymandered district in the country.

"There's no doubt that the three judge panel in San Antonio is absolutely correct in its determination that this was an invalid district," Doggett said.

Doggett's district drawn along I-35 absorbs a majority of the Hispanic population in South Austin and San Antonio, leaving the more rural, traditionally conservative areas between the two major cities as other districts. It and two others are up for debate by a panel of federal judges

"What Republicans did was to come up and split Austin in multiple pieces to divide a community that has a history of electing county-wide Hispanics and African-Americans. And at the same time as the court pointed out back in the spring, the republicans failed to provide for adequate Hispanic opportunity districts," Doggett said.

Goodgame lives in District 10, represented by Congressman Michael McCaul. One of the larger districts, it stretches from Northwest Austin to the outskirts of Houston.

"Maybe about 20-25 percent of the constituents in his district live in the Austin area," Goodgame said.

McCaul and Doggett's respective districts touch in the city of Austin. District 10 isn't up for debate, but if Doggett's district is redrawn, it could have a ripple effect.

"This same three judge panel drew the very districts that we have run in for the past several terms so it's a little odd that they would be reconsidering a map they drew themselves," McCaul said.

Goodgame said if the lines are re-drawn, she hopes it will lead to more accurate representation of the voters who live in the area.

"I hope to see groups whose voting power has been diluted find strength again," Goodgame said.

The federal hearing is expected to continue in San Antonio all week.