Redistricting 101
This is the first newsletter of 2023! We are super excited to be back in your inbox!
Opportunities
Apply to be a Messenger for the Texas House Clerk! Get experience with the operations of the House and make connections in Texas politics! Paid positions available. Communication and basic technology skills needed.
Send your resume to house.personnel@house.texas.gov.
Do you love Google Calendar? Are you fluent in English and Spanish? Apply to be an Administrative Assistant for Texas House Rep. Ana-Maria Ramos! Gain experience assisting the Deputy Chief of Staff with scheduling event requests, legislative requests, and general meeting requests!
Send your resume to crystal.lacount@house.texas.gov.
Spend the semester in Washington D.C. with the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute! $3,750 stipend, free travel and housing, and health insurance provided. CHCI Congressional Interns gain close exposure to the intricacies of the U.S. legislative process, spending four days each week working on Capitol Hill. Interns are typically placed with a member of Congress who serves a district in their home state.
Application due February 28, 2023 at 11:00 PM.
Apply to be a DEI Intern for the Teacher Retirement System of Texas! This position offers interns the opportunity to gain substantive experience within diversity, diversity, and inclusion in a well-respected state agency, the ability to work with diverse departments and help initiate strategies to better serve our members who serve the state of Texas. Earn $17.00/hour within 12 months of graduation from a Bachelors' program!
Application due Feb 28th.
Upcoming Events
Join the UT Civic Engagement Alliance in kicking off the 88th Texas Legislative Session by learning about the structures and process of the TX “Lege”, key players, how to bill track, and enjoy free snacks!
You can choose to attend one of two workshops:
Wednesday, February 15th 6-7pm in RLP 0.126
Thursday, February 23rd 7-8pm in DMC 1.202
Hosted by TX Votes, Texas Rising, and MOVE Texas
RSVP here, but feel free to show up without RSVPing!
Redistricting 101
by CEA Chair Scott Poole
The Texas Legislature has reconvened for the 88th legislative session, and one of the first issues lawmakers are considering is redistricting. Redistricting is the process of redrawing legislative districts following the completion of the federal census and reapportionment. Redistricting happens every ten years, but the 2020 census was delayed because of COVID-19. You may be thinking: didn’t the Legislature already complete the redistricting process? You’re right! Legislators approved maps in a special session in 2021. However, the Texas Constitution requires that the legislature draw new maps in the first regular legislative session following the federal census. Because the maps were approved in a special session in 2021, two state senators sued the state, arguing that the process by which the maps were approved were unconstitutional. Following this litigation, legislators decided to reconsider the maps during this session, which is technically the first regular session following the completion of the census. So far, the Senate Special Committee on Redistricting has only reconsidered Senate maps for the Texas Senate, but they will have to consider districts for the State House and State Board of Education, according to the Texas Tribune. That process will occur later in the legislative session. For more information about the redistricting process or to submit a public comment, you can visit the redistricting committee’s website here!
Other Interesting Articles
Here are some interesting articles and news stories we found over the last two weeks! TX Votes is a nonpartisan organization dedicated to providing voting and civic engagement information, and our only goal with this section of our newsletter is to share a few interesting articles and news about Texas and its politics! We encourage you to read multiple sources and a variety of viewpoints to ensure you are well-informed.
Ron DeSantis to visit Texas to help Republicans in Harris and Dallas counties raise money
Here’s what you need to know about the fight over property tax cuts in the Texas Legislature
Joe Biden, Bill Clinton mark 3 decades of Family and Medical Leave Act
Austin City Council will consider firing City Manager Spencer Cronk after storm response
How do TX Votes members feel about the winter freeze?
Did you help anyone in your community?
Lucas’ mother was out of power for days, so she came to stay with us for a bit. It was great to provide her with a warm home.
- Bella
I invited friends without hot water over to use my shower.
- Luke
What did you think of UT’s response?
I was glad that UT closed school, it would have been messed up if they didn’t — I knew a lot of people without internet.
- Gabby
They didn’t notify people of school closures fast enough and didn’t have great communication of resources for students.
- Kishlaya
What did you think of the city’s response?
I appreciate that they kept the busses running. I took a CapMetro bus to go cover a garden from the weather. I would be screwed if they had stopped running.
- Hillary
How did you stay up-to-date?
Email, anything from the university, text, Instagram, Reddit
- Vincent
My mom?
- Jillian
Election Information
First Day to Apply for Ballot by Mail: Sunday, January 1, 2023
Last Day to Register to Vote: Thursday, April 6, 2023
First Day of Early Voting in Person: Monday, April 24, 2023
Last day to Apply for Ballot by Mail (received, not postmarked): Tuesday, April 25, 2023
Last Day of Early Voting in Person: Tuesday, May 2, 2023
Election Day: Saturday, May 6, 2023
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