The Legislature’s congressional map divides Travis County into five districts, up from three, and draws District 25, currently held by Democrat Doggett, so that it could elect a Republican. Doggett said that would force him to run for re-election in District 35, which is based in Bexar County and stretches up Interstate 35 to Austin.

Plaintiff lawyers representing Travis County and major civil rights groups have argued that District 25 deserves to be protected as a “coalition district” — one in which a collection of different racial and ethnic groups votes together. According to the Texas Legislative Council, District 25 is 49.8 percent white, 8.7 percent African American and 38.8 percent Hispanic.

The concept of coalition districts is complicated, hotly debated and at the center of disagreement over Doggett’s district.

Most of the plaintiffs in the case say such districts are protected under the Voting Rights Act and various legal opinions.

But Abbott said in Monday’s filing that coalition districts are not protected and that District 25 cannot legally be drawn the way many plaintiffs want it. Abbott said he intends to follow the guidance of the U.S. Supreme Court, which said the maps should pay deference to the ones produced by the Legislature and make only adjustments needed to comply with the Voting Rights Act.

The full story at the statesman.com