Texas state legislative districts

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There are 181 seats in the Texas State Legislature. Approximately one half of the 31 seats in the Texas State Senate are up for election every two years. All 150 seats in the Texas House of Representatives are up for election every two years.

Texas enacted new state legislative districts on October 25, 2021. The Senate Redistricting Committee released a draft of a Senate legislative map on September 18, and a Senate panel advanced the proposal to the full Senate for debate on September 28. The Senate approved the plans in a 20-11 vote on October 4.[1] The House approved an amended version of a proposed House district map in an 83-63 vote split along party lines on October 13.[2] After both sets of legislative district maps passed their respective chambers, the House and Senate both approved maps for the other chamber's districts on October 15. The House approved the Senate map by an 81-60 vote, and the Senate approved the House map by an 18-13 vote.[3] Gov. Abbott signed both maps into law on October 25.[4]These maps take effect for Texas' 2022 legislative elections. Click here for more information about redistricting after the 2020 census.

Chambers

Click the following tabs for more information about each chamber:

Senate

The current make-up of the Texas Legislature is as follows: There are 31 Senators in the Texas State Senate. Each member represented an average of 811,147 residents, as of the 2010 Census.[5] After the 2000 Census, each member represented 672,640.[6]

Qualifications

See also: State legislature candidate requirements by state

To be eligible to serve in the Texas State Senate, a candidate must be:[7]

  • A U.S. citizen
  • 26 years old before the general election
  • A five-year resident of Texas before the general election
  • A district resident for 1 year prior to the general election

Vacancies

See also: How vacancies are filled in state legislatures

If there is a vacancy in the Texas State Legislature, the governor must call a special election to fill the vacant seat.[8] A governor's proclamation to hold a special election must be delivered to local elections authorities representing the vacant seat no later than 36 days before the scheduled election.[9]

The secretary of state can declare a candidate duly elected in a special election if there is no opposition.[10]

DocumentIcon.jpg See sources: Texas Elec. Code § 203.001 et. seq.


Salaries

See also: Comparison of state legislative salaries
State legislators
SalaryPer diem
$7,200/year$221/day. Set by ethics commission. Unvouchered.

Pension

When calculating a legislators pension, their normal salary is artificially inflated to $125,000. This goes back to 1981, when lawmakers linked their salaries to those of state judges. Since then, they raised judges' salaries while removing the caps on their own pensions, pushing the maximum benefit up to 100% of a judge's salary.

In 2011, this resulted in an average state employee pension of $17,526 annually. The maximum pension a legislator can earn is $125,000, of which Rep. Tom Craddick (R) will be the first to qualify for when he retires. [11]

Districts

These are links to every district in the Texas State Senate.


Office
Texas State Senate District 1
Texas State Senate District 2
Texas State Senate District 3
Texas State Senate District 4
Texas State Senate District 5
Texas State Senate District 6
Texas State Senate District 7
Texas State Senate District 8
Texas State Senate District 9
Texas State Senate District 10
Texas State Senate District 11
Texas State Senate District 12
Texas State Senate District 13
Texas State Senate District 14
Texas State Senate District 15
Texas State Senate District 16
Texas State Senate District 17
Texas State Senate District 18
Texas State Senate District 19
Texas State Senate District 20
Texas State Senate District 21
Texas State Senate District 22
Texas State Senate District 23
Texas State Senate District 24
Texas State Senate District 25
Texas State Senate District 26
Texas State Senate District 27
Texas State Senate District 28
Texas State Senate District 29
Texas State Senate District 30
Texas State Senate District 31


House

There are 150 representatives in the Texas House of Representatives. Each member represented an average of 167,637 residents, as of the 2010 Census.[12] After the 2000 Census, each member represented 139,012.[13]

Qualifications

See also: State legislature candidate requirements by state

To be eligible to serve in the Texas House of Representatives, a candidate must be:[14]

  • A U.S. citizen
  • 21 years old before the general election
  • A two-year resident of Texas before the general election
  • A district resident for 1 year prior to the general election

Vacancies

See also: How vacancies are filled in state legislatures

If there is a vacancy in the Texas State Legislature, the governor must call a special election to fill the vacant seat.[15] A governor's proclamation to hold a special election must be delivered to local elections authorities representing the vacant seat no later than 36 days before the scheduled election.[16]

The secretary of state can declare a candidate duly elected in a special election if there is no opposition.[17]

DocumentIcon.jpg See sources: Texas Elec. Code § 203.001 et. seq.


Salaries

See also: Comparison of state legislative salaries
State legislators
SalaryPer diem
$7,200/year$221/day. Set by ethics commission. Unvouchered.

Pension

When calculating a legislators pension, their normal salary is artificially inflated to $125,000. This goes back to 1981, when lawmakers linked their salaries to those of state judges. Since then, they raised judges' salaries while removing the caps on their own pensions, pushing the maximum benefit up to 100% of a judge's salary.

In 2011, this resulted in an average state employee pension of $17,526 annually. The maximum pension a legislator can earn is $125,000, of which Rep. Tom Craddick (R) will be the first to qualify for when he retires. [18]

Districts

These are links to every district in the Texas House of Representatives.


Office
Texas House of Representatives District 1
Texas House of Representatives District 2
Texas House of Representatives District 3
Texas House of Representatives District 4
Texas House of Representatives District 5
Texas House of Representatives District 6
Texas House of Representatives District 7
Texas House of Representatives District 8
Texas House of Representatives District 9
Texas House of Representatives District 10
Texas House of Representatives District 11
Texas House of Representatives District 12
Texas House of Representatives District 13
Texas House of Representatives District 14
Texas House of Representatives District 15
Texas House of Representatives District 16
Texas House of Representatives District 17
Texas House of Representatives District 18
Texas House of Representatives District 19
Texas House of Representatives District 20
Texas House of Representatives District 21
Texas House of Representatives District 22
Texas House of Representatives District 23
Texas House of Representatives District 24
Texas House of Representatives District 25
Texas House of Representatives District 26
Texas House of Representatives District 27
Texas House of Representatives District 28
Texas House of Representatives District 29
Texas House of Representatives District 30
Texas House of Representatives District 31
Texas House of Representatives District 32
Texas House of Representatives District 33
Texas House of Representatives District 34
Texas House of Representatives District 35
Texas House of Representatives District 36
Texas House of Representatives District 37
Texas House of Representatives District 38
Texas House of Representatives District 39
Texas House of Representatives District 40
Texas House of Representatives District 41
Texas House of Representatives District 42
Texas House of Representatives District 43
Texas House of Representatives District 44
Texas House of Representatives District 45
Texas House of Representatives District 46
Texas House of Representatives District 47
Texas House of Representatives District 48
Texas House of Representatives District 49
Texas House of Representatives District 50
Texas House of Representatives District 51
Texas House of Representatives District 52
Texas House of Representatives District 53
Texas House of Representatives District 54
Texas House of Representatives District 55
Texas House of Representatives District 56
Texas House of Representatives District 57
Texas House of Representatives District 58
Texas House of Representatives District 59
Texas House of Representatives District 60
Texas House of Representatives District 61
Texas House of Representatives District 62
Texas House of Representatives District 63
Texas House of Representatives District 64
Texas House of Representatives District 65
Texas House of Representatives District 66
Texas House of Representatives District 67
Texas House of Representatives District 68
Texas House of Representatives District 69
Texas House of Representatives District 70
Texas House of Representatives District 71
Texas House of Representatives District 72
Texas House of Representatives District 73
Texas House of Representatives District 74
Texas House of Representatives District 75
Texas House of Representatives District 76
Texas House of Representatives District 77
Texas House of Representatives District 78
Texas House of Representatives District 79
Texas House of Representatives District 80
Texas House of Representatives District 81
Texas House of Representatives District 82
Texas House of Representatives District 83
Texas House of Representatives District 84
Texas House of Representatives District 85
Texas House of Representatives District 86
Texas House of Representatives District 87
Texas House of Representatives District 88
Texas House of Representatives District 89
Texas House of Representatives District 90
Texas House of Representatives District 91
Texas House of Representatives District 92
Texas House of Representatives District 93
Texas House of Representatives District 94
Texas House of Representatives District 95
Texas House of Representatives District 96
Texas House of Representatives District 97
Texas House of Representatives District 98
Texas House of Representatives District 99
Texas House of Representatives District 100
Texas House of Representatives District 101
Texas House of Representatives District 102
Texas House of Representatives District 103
Texas House of Representatives District 104
Texas House of Representatives District 105
Texas House of Representatives District 106
Texas House of Representatives District 107
Texas House of Representatives District 108
Texas House of Representatives District 109
Texas House of Representatives District 110
Texas House of Representatives District 111
Texas House of Representatives District 112
Texas House of Representatives District 113
Texas House of Representatives District 114
Texas House of Representatives District 115
Texas House of Representatives District 116
Texas House of Representatives District 117
Texas House of Representatives District 118
Texas House of Representatives District 119
Texas House of Representatives District 120
Texas House of Representatives District 121
Texas House of Representatives District 122
Texas House of Representatives District 123
Texas House of Representatives District 124
Texas House of Representatives District 125
Texas House of Representatives District 126
Texas House of Representatives District 127
Texas House of Representatives District 128
Texas House of Representatives District 129
Texas House of Representatives District 130
Texas House of Representatives District 131
Texas House of Representatives District 132
Texas House of Representatives District 133
Texas House of Representatives District 134
Texas House of Representatives District 135
Texas House of Representatives District 136
Texas House of Representatives District 137
Texas House of Representatives District 138
Texas House of Representatives District 139
Texas House of Representatives District 140
Texas House of Representatives District 141
Texas House of Representatives District 142
Texas House of Representatives District 143
Texas House of Representatives District 144
Texas House of Representatives District 145
Texas House of Representatives District 146
Texas House of Representatives District 147
Texas House of Representatives District 148
Texas House of Representatives District 149
Texas House of Representatives District 150

Redistricting

In Texas, both congressional and state legislative district boundaries are drawn by the Texas State Legislature. These lines are subject to veto by the governor.[19]

If the state legislature is unable to approve a state legislative redistricting plan, a backup commission must draw the lines (the backup commission is not involved in congressional redistricting). This backup commission, established in 1948, comprises the following members:[19]

  1. Lieutenant governor
  2. Speaker of the Texas House of Representatives
  3. Attorney general
  4. State comptroller
  5. Commissioner of the General Land Office

The Texas Constitution requires that state legislative districts be contiguous and "that they preserve whole counties when population mandates permit."[19]

Texas enacted new state legislative districts on October 25, 2021. The Senate Redistricting Committee released a draft of a Senate legislative map on September 18, and a Senate panel advanced the proposal to the full Senate for debate on September 28. The Senate approved the plans in a 20-11 vote on October 4.[20] The House approved an amended version of a proposed House district map in an 83-63 vote split along party lines on October 13.[21] After both sets of legislative district maps passed their respective chambers, the House and Senate both approved maps for the other chamber's districts on October 15. The House approved the Senate map by an 81-60 vote, and the Senate approved the House map by an 18-13 vote.[22] Gov. Abbott signed both maps into law on October 25.[23]These maps take effect for Texas' 2022 legislative elections.

State Senate map

Below is the state Senate map in effect before and after the 2020 redistricting cycle.

Texas State Senate Districts
until January 9, 2023

Click a district to compare boundaries.

Texas State Senate Districts
starting January 10, 2023

Click a district to compare boundaries.

State House map

Below is the state House map in effect before and after the 2020 redistricting cycle.

Texas State House Districts
until January 9, 2023

Click a district to compare boundaries.

Texas State House Districts
starting January 10, 2023

Click a district to compare boundaries.


Reactions

Lt. Gov Dan Patrick (R) said of the Senate map: "This map illustrates our commitment to making sure every Texan is well-represented in their state Legislature and their voices are heard."[24] State Rep. Rafael Anchia (D) said the Senate proposal did not adequately reflect the racial composition of the state. “There are nearly three times as many districts that are majority white compared to majority Hispanic,” Anchia said.

State Rep. Todd Hunter (R) said the House map “achieves fair representation for the citizens of Texas.” State Sen. Eddie Lucio (D) criticized revisions to the House districts in the Rio Grande Valley, saying “In my time in the Legislature, I have never seen such blatant disregard for the process.”[25]

Senate elections

Texas state senators serve 2-4-4 terms, where senators serve one two-year term and two four-year terms each decade. Texas holds elections for its legislature in even years.

2022

See also: Texas State Senate elections, 2022

Elections for the Texas State Senate will take place in 2022. The general election is on November 8, 2022. A primary is scheduled for March 1, 2022, and a primary runoff is scheduled for May 24, 2022. The filing deadline was December 13, 2021.

2020

See also: Texas State Senate elections, 2020

Elections for the office of Texas State Senate took place in 2020. The general election was held on November 3, 2020. A primary was scheduled for March 3, 2020, and a primary runoff was scheduled for July 14, 2020. The filing deadline was December 9, 2019.

In the 2020 elections, the Republican majority in the Texas State Senate decreased from 19-12 to 18-13.

Texas State Senate
Party As of November 3, 2020 After November 4, 2020
     Democratic Party 12 13
     Republican Party 19 18
Total 31 31

2018

See also: Texas State Senate elections, 2018

Elections for the Texas State Senate took place in 2018. An open primary election took place on March 6, 2018.[26] A primary runoff election took place on May 22, 2018. The general election was held on November 6, 2018. The candidate filing deadline was December 11, 2017.[27]

In the 2018 elections, the Republican majority in the Texas State Senate was reduced from 21-10 to 19-12.

Texas State Senate
Party As of November 6, 2018 After November 7, 2018
     Democratic Party 10 12
     Republican Party 21 19
Total 31 31

2016

See also: Texas State Senate elections, 2016

Elections for the Texas State Senate took place in 2016. The primary election was held on March 1, 2016, and the general election was held on November 8, 2016. The candidate filing deadline was December 14, 2015.[28] A total of 16 seats out of the 31 seats in the Texas State Senate were up for election in 2016.

Heading into the election, Republicans held a 20-11 majority. No changes occurred to the partisan balance of the chamber.

Texas State Senate
Party As of November 7, 2016 After November 8, 2016
     Democratic Party 11 11
     Republican Party 20 20
Total 31 31

House elections

Texas state representatives serve two-year terms, with all seats up for election every two years. Texas holds elections for its legislature in even years.

2022

See also: Texas House of Representatives elections, 2022

Elections for the Texas House of Representatives will take place in 2022. The general election is on November 8, 2022. A primary is scheduled for March 1, 2022, and a primary runoff is scheduled for May 24, 2022. The filing deadline was December 13, 2021.

2020

See also: Texas House of Representatives elections, 2020

Elections for the office of Texas House of Representatives took place in 2020. The general election was held on November 3, 2020. A primary was scheduled for March 3, 2020, and a primary runoff was scheduled for July 14, 2020. The filing deadline was December 9, 2019.

In the 2020 elections, Republicans in the Texas House of Representatives maintained their 83-67 majority.

Texas House of Representatives
Party As of November 3, 2020 After November 4, 2020
     Democratic Party 67 67
     Republican Party 83 83
Total 150 150

2018

See also: Texas House of Representatives elections, 2018

Elections for the Texas House of Representatives took place in 2018. An open primary election took place on March 6, 2018.[35] A primary runoff election took place on May 22, 2018. The general election was held on November 6, 2018. The candidate filing deadline was December 11, 2017.[36]

In the 2018 elections, the Republican majority in the Texas House of Representatives was reduced from 93-55 to 83-67.

Texas House of Representatives
Party As of November 6, 2018 After November 7, 2018
     Democratic Party 55 67
     Republican Party 93 83
     Vacancy 2 0
Total 150 150

2016

See also: Texas House of Representatives elections, 2016

Elections for the Texas House of Representatives took place in 2016. The primary election was held on March 1, 2016, and the general election was held on November 8, 2016. The candidate filing deadline was December 14, 2015.[37] All 150 seats in the Texas House of Representatives were up for election in 2016.

Heading into the election, Republicans held a 99-50 majority with one vacancy. Republicans lost five seats in the election, giving them a 95-55 majority.

Texas House of Representatives
Party As of November 7, 2016 After November 8, 2016
     Democratic Party 50 55
     Republican Party 99 95
     Independent 1 0
Total 150 150

District maps

State Senate


State House


See also

Footnotes

  1. Texas Tribune, "Senate approves map cementing GOP dominance in upper chamber, dividing up Tarrant county’s voters of color," October 4, 2021
  2. Texas Legislature Online, "HB 1," accessed October 15, 2021
  3. Texas Tribune, "Lawmakers send to Gov. Greg Abbott new political maps that would further solidify the GOP’s grip on the Texas Legislature," October 15, 2021
  4. Texas Tribune, "Gov. Greg Abbott signs off on Texas’ new political maps, which protect GOP majorities while diluting voices of voters of color," October 25, 2021
  5. census.gov, "Population Distribution and Change: 2000 to 2010," accessed May 15, 2014
  6. U.S. Census Bureau, "States Ranked by Population: 2000," April 2, 2001
  7. Texas Secretary of State, "Qualifications for All Public Offices," accessed February 16, 2021
  8. Texas Legislature, "Election Code," accessed February 16, 2021 (Statute 3.003 (3))
  9. Texas Legislature, "Election Code," accessed February 16, 2021 (Statute 3.003 (3)(b)-(c))
  10. Texas Legislature, "Election Code," accessed February 16, 2021 (Statute 2.055 (3)(b)-(c))
  11. USA Today, "State lawmakers pump up pensions in ways you can't," September 23, 2011
  12. census.gov, "Population Distribution and Change: 2000 to 2010," accessed May 15, 2014
  13. U.S. Census Bureau, "States Ranked by Population: 2000," April 2, 2001
  14. Texas Secretary of State, "Qualifications for All Public Offices," accessed February 16, 2021
  15. Texas Legislature, "Election Code," accessed February 16, 2021 (Statute 3.003 (3))
  16. Texas Legislature, "Election Code," accessed February 16, 2021 (Statute 3.003 (3)(b)-(c))
  17. Texas Legislature, "Election Code," accessed February 16, 2021 (Statute 2.055 (3)(b)-(c))
  18. USA Today, "State lawmakers pump up pensions in ways you can't," September 23, 2011
  19. 19.0 19.1 19.2 All About Redistricting, "Texas," accessed May 7, 2015
  20. Texas Tribune, "Senate approves map cementing GOP dominance in upper chamber, dividing up Tarrant county’s voters of color," October 4, 2021
  21. Texas Legislature Online, "HB 1," accessed October 15, 2021
  22. Texas Tribune, "Lawmakers send to Gov. Greg Abbott new political maps that would further solidify the GOP’s grip on the Texas Legislature," October 15, 2021
  23. Texas Tribune, "Gov. Greg Abbott signs off on Texas’ new political maps, which protect GOP majorities while diluting voices of voters of color," October 25, 2021
  24. Austin American-Statesman, "Texas Senate gives final OK to Senate redistricting map," October 4, 2021
  25. Texas Tribune, "Lawmakers send to Gov. Greg Abbott new political maps that would further solidify the GOP’s grip on the Texas Legislature," October 15, 2021
  26. National Conference of State Legislatures, "State Primary Election Systems," accessed May 29, 2017
  27. Texas Secretary of State, "Important 2018 Election Dates," accessed September 11, 2017
  28. Texas Secretary of State, "Important 2016 Election Dates," accessed December 14, 2015
  29. Follow the Money, "Texas Senate 2010 Campaign Contributions," accessed August 2, 2013
  30. Follow the Money, "Texas 2008 Candidates," accessed August 2, 2013
  31. Follow the Money, "Texas 2006 Candidates," accessed August 2, 2013
  32. Follow the Money, "Texas 2004 Candidates," accessed August 2, 2013
  33. Follow the Money, "Texas 2002 Candidates," accessed August 2, 2013
  34. Follow the Money, "Texas 2000 Candidates," accessed August 2, 2013
  35. National Conference of State Legislatures, "State Primary Election Systems," accessed May 29, 2017
  36. Texas Secretary of State, "Important 2018 Election Dates," accessed September 11, 2017
  37. Texas Secretary of State, "Important 2016 Election Dates," accessed December 14, 2015
  38. Follow the Money, "Texas House 2010 Campaign Contributions," accessed August 2, 2013
  39. Follow the Money, "Texas 2008 Candidates," accessed August 2, 2013
  40. Follow the Money, "Texas 2006 Candidates," accessed August 2, 2013
  41. Follow the Money, "Texas 2004 Candidates," accessed August 2, 2013
  42. Follow the Money, "Texas 2002 Candidates," accessed August 2, 2013
  43. Follow the Money, "Texas 2000 Candidates," accessed August 2, 2013

Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 | Original source: https://ballotpedia.org/Texas_state_legislative_districts
Status: cached on January 04 2022 03:20:50