Redistricting Decision Back Up In Air

The United State Supreme Court handed down a 13-page decision early Friday morning that could have a big effect on the upcoming election cycle.

In the case Perez v Perry the federal court ruled the constitutionality of the Voting Rights Act. In essence, that means that before elections can be held in Texas new maps must be approved by the federal government, something that hasn?t happened yet.

Causing greater issue to those involved in the political process is that the maps aren?t done. In fact, a further ruling by the court sent recently redrawn maps by a federal court in San Antonio back to the drawing board. This time, the court wants the judges in San Antonio to pay more attention to plans drawn by state legislators.

?It?s not like going back to square one where there is no information,? said Joe Pickett, a state representative from El Paso. ?The big question is time.?

Time is the question lingering over everyone?s head, and no one seems to have the answer.

Javier Chacon, the El Paso County election administrator, says the redistricting issues within the state has everything up in the air. Without maps, primary elections may not be able to take place on the scheduled date of April 3, 2011 a date that was already pushed back once. Further complicating the issue for the city of El Paso is the citywide recall election, which may be in danger now that the primaries are being pushed closer and closer to the scheduled April 14th date.

?I would like to help them with an election, but my hands are tied otherwise due to the redistricting case,? said Javier Chacon.

According to Silvestre Reyes, a U.S. representative for the 16th district, the questions need to be answered soon.

?I hope they do it fast so that we can get about running our district race and get it done as soon as possible,? said Reyes.