New legislation comes after Common Cause poll shows strong support 

Common Cause is urging the Texas congressional delegation to support new legislation that bans mid-decade redistricting and requires states to use independent redistricting commissions to draw voting maps for congressional districts. The legislation has remarkably broad support in Texas and nationwide based on recent poll results commissioned by Common Cause. 

The new legislation, sponsored by Representative Zoe Lofgren and Senator Alex Padilla, comes on the heels of a Common Cause commissioned poll that showed 74% of Texans supporting independent commissions drawing districts instead of state legislators, 73% of Texans supporting a law banning gerrymandering, and 62% of Texans supporting a ban on mid-decade redistricting.

The Texas poll surveyed 400 registered voters. Common Cause polling in four other states showed that registered voters in California, Florida, Illinois and New York also support all three moves – independent commissions, a ban on mid-decade redistricting and a ban on gerrymandering. A national poll of 2,016 register voters also showed strong support.

“Republicans, independents and Democrats are fed up with the current partisan system of drawing districts here in Texas and across America,” said Anthony Gutierrez, Common Cause Texas Executive Director. “Texans want Congress to step in and stop this power grab. We will advocate to make sure our elected leaders co-sponsor, publicly support and vote for this legislation.”