USA Today: Supreme Court upholds most Texas election districts over charges of racial discrimination

The dispute dates back to 2011, when the GOP-dominated legislature created new congressional and state legislative districts to help Republicans, even though the growth in the state’s population was almost entirely attributable to minorities who more often vote Democratic.

A three-judge district court panel ruled last year that some national and state districts were drawn to discriminate against blacks and Hispanics. Texas asked the Supreme Court to overrule the racial verdict.

Voting rights proponents said the ruling was a disappointment because minorities have fueled the state’s population growth but have not won increased political clout.

“This decision represents a severe blow to voting rights in Texas,” said Anthony Gutierrez, executive director of Common Cause Texas.