News Clips

"Justice delayed is justice denied," said Common Cause executive director Bob Phillips, "however, we are confident that we have standing to be able to make our way back to the Supreme Court so that the Justices may draw a clear line against partisan political gerrymanders that leave too many Americans without fair representation."

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.

Damon Effingham, acting director of the Maryland chapter of Common Cause, said it was "preposterous" that it took MVA officials four days to figure out the extent of the problem and that there is no system to ensure that its system is working properly. "Did people have an issue during early voting?" Effingham said. "If one person had a difficult time voting, that's one too many." Effingham said the issue illustrates the need for Election Day registration. The General Assembly this year passed a bill that will allow voters to decide whether to amend the state constitution to allow it. The question will be on the ballot in November.

“If this case is not the limit, then there may be no limit,” said Ben Thorpe, one of the lawyers representing Common Cause.

The “goal of this plan was to make Democratic votes count less than Republican votes,” said Ben Thorpe, a lawyer for Common Cause. “This is as extreme as partisan gerrymandering gets. If this case is not the limit, then there may be no limit.”

Anthony Gutierrez of Common Cause Texas called the ruling a severe blow to voting rights. "It is time for Texans to take up the fight for fair maps by establishing an independent redistricting commission," he said. "In a democracy, politicians have no business choosing their voters, it is the voters who should be choosing their politicians."