Texas state legislative districts
List of state legislative districts |
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
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
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]
See sources: Texas Elec. Code § 203.001 et. seq.
Salaries
- See also: Comparison of state legislative salaries
State legislators | |
---|---|
Salary | Per 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.
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
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
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]
See sources: Texas Elec. Code § 203.001 et. seq.
Salaries
- See also: Comparison of state legislative salaries
State legislators | |
---|---|
Salary | Per 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.
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]
- Lieutenant governor
- Speaker of the Texas House of Representatives
- Attorney general
- State comptroller
- 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 | |||
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Party | As of November 7, 2016 | After November 8, 2016 | |
Democratic Party | 11 | 11 | |
Republican Party | 20 | 20 | |
Total | 31 | 31 |
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2014
Elections for 15 of the 31 seats in the Texas State Senate took place in 2014. A primary election took place on March 4, 2014. The general election was held on November 4, 2014. The signature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in these elections was December 9, 2013. Heading into the election, Republicans held an 18-12 majority with one vacancy. Republicans gained two seats in the election, giving them a 20-11 majority.
2012
Elections for the office of Texas State Senate took place in 2012. The primary election was held on May 29, 2012, and the general election was held on November 6, 2012. The candidate filing deadline was December 19, 2011. All 31 Senate seats were up for election in 2012. Heading into the election, Republicans held a 19-12 majority. No partisan change occurred in the election.
The following table details the 10 districts with the smallest margin of victory in the November 6 general election.
2010
Elections for the office of Texas State Senate took place in 2010. The primary election was held on March 2, 2010, and the general election was held on November 2, 2010. The runoff election was on April 13, 2010. The candidate filing deadline was January 4, 2010. Sixteen seats were up for election. Heading into the election, Republicans held a 19-12 majority. No partisan change occurred in the election.
In 2010, the candidates for state Senate raised a total of $11,219,972 in campaign contributions. The top 10 donors were:[29]
2008
Elections for the office of Texas State Senate consisted of a primary election on March 4, 2008, and a general election on November 4, 2008. During the 2008 election, the total value of contributions to Senate candidates was $25,929,067. The top 10 contributors were:[30]
2006
Elections for the office of Texas State Senate consisted of a primary election on March 7, 2006, and a general election on November 7, 2006. During the 2006 election, the total value of contributions to Senate candidates was $28,516,289. The top 10 contributors were:[31]
2004
Elections for the office of Texas State Senate consisted of a primary election on March 9, 2004, and a general election on November 2, 2004. During the 2004 election, the total value of contributions to Senate candidates was $16,529,122. The top 10 contributors were:[32]
2002
Elections for the office of Texas State Senate consisted of a primary election on March 12, 2002, and a general election on November 5, 2002. During the 2002 election, the total value of contributions to Senate candidates was $23,504,855. The top 10 contributors were:[33]
2000
Elections for the office of Texas State Senate consisted of a primary election on March 14, 2000, and a general election on November 7, 2000. During the 2000 election, the total value of contributions to Senate candidates was $15,399,907. The top 10 contributors were:[34]
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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
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
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
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
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 |
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2014Elections for all 150 seats in the Texas House of Representatives took place in 2014. A primary election took place on March 4, 2014. Those candidates who did not receive 50 percent or more of the vote in their party primary on March 4 faced an additional May 27 primary runoff. The general election was held on November 4, 2014. The signature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in these elections was December 9, 2013. Heading into the election, Republicans held a 94-55 majority with one vacancy. Republicans gained four seats in the election, giving them a 98-52 majority.
2012Elections for the office of Texas House of Representatives took place in 2012. The primary election was held on May 29, 2012, and the general election was held on November 6, 2012. A primary runoff election was scheduled for July 31, 2012. The candidate filing deadline was December 19, 2011. All 150 seats were up for election. Heading into the election, Republicans held a 100-48 majority with two vacancies. Republicans lost five seats in the election, giving them a 95-55 majority.
The following table details the 10 districts with the smallest margin of victory in the November 6 general election.
2010Elections for the office of Texas House of Representatives took place in 2010. The primary election was held on March 2, 2010, and the general election was held on November 2, 2010. The runoff election was held on April 13, 2010. The candidate filing deadline was January 4, 2010. All 150 seats were up for election in 2010. Heading into the election, Republicans held a 76-73 majority with one vacancy. Republicans gained 22 seats in the election, giving them a 98-51 majority with one vacancy.
In 2010, the candidates for state House raised a total of $78,482,292 in campaign contributions. The top 10 donors were:[38]
2008Elections for the office of Texas House of Representatives consisted of a primary election on March 4, 2008, and a general election on November 4, 2008. During the 2008 election, the total value of contributions to House candidates was $71,266,729. The top 10 contributors were:[39]
2006Elections for the office of Texas House of Representatives consisted of a primary election on March 7, 2006, and a general election on November 7, 2006. During the 2006 election, the total value of contributions to House candidates was $65,368,501. The top 10 contributors were:[40]
2004Elections for the office of Texas House of Representatives consisted of a primary election on March 9, 2004, and a general election on November 2, 2004. During the 2004 election, the total value of contributions to House candidates was $44,062,003. The top 10 contributors were:[41]
2002Elections for the office of Texas House of Representatives consisted of a primary election on March 12, 2002, and a general election on November 5, 2002. During the 2002 election, the total value of contributions to House candidates was $37,274,594. The top 10 contributors were:[42]
2000Elections for the office of Texas House of Representatives consisted of a primary election on March 14, 2000, and a general election on November 7, 2000. During the 2000 election, the total value of contributions to House candidates was $20,074,748. The top 10 contributors were:[43]
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District maps
State Senate
State House
See also
- State legislature
- Texas State Legislature
- Texas State Senate
- Texas House of Representatives
- List of Texas state legislative elections
Footnotes
- ↑ Texas Tribune, "Senate approves map cementing GOP dominance in upper chamber, dividing up Tarrant county’s voters of color," October 4, 2021
- ↑ Texas Legislature Online, "HB 1," accessed October 15, 2021
- ↑ 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
- ↑ 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
- ↑ census.gov, "Population Distribution and Change: 2000 to 2010," accessed May 15, 2014
- ↑ U.S. Census Bureau, "States Ranked by Population: 2000," April 2, 2001
- ↑ Texas Secretary of State, "Qualifications for All Public Offices," accessed February 16, 2021
- ↑ Texas Legislature, "Election Code," accessed February 16, 2021 (Statute 3.003 (3))
- ↑ Texas Legislature, "Election Code," accessed February 16, 2021 (Statute 3.003 (3)(b)-(c))
- ↑ Texas Legislature, "Election Code," accessed February 16, 2021 (Statute 2.055 (3)(b)-(c))
- ↑ USA Today, "State lawmakers pump up pensions in ways you can't," September 23, 2011
- ↑ census.gov, "Population Distribution and Change: 2000 to 2010," accessed May 15, 2014
- ↑ U.S. Census Bureau, "States Ranked by Population: 2000," April 2, 2001
- ↑ Texas Secretary of State, "Qualifications for All Public Offices," accessed February 16, 2021
- ↑ Texas Legislature, "Election Code," accessed February 16, 2021 (Statute 3.003 (3))
- ↑ Texas Legislature, "Election Code," accessed February 16, 2021 (Statute 3.003 (3)(b)-(c))
- ↑ Texas Legislature, "Election Code," accessed February 16, 2021 (Statute 2.055 (3)(b)-(c))
- ↑ USA Today, "State lawmakers pump up pensions in ways you can't," September 23, 2011
- ↑ 19.0 19.1 19.2 All About Redistricting, "Texas," accessed May 7, 2015
- ↑ Texas Tribune, "Senate approves map cementing GOP dominance in upper chamber, dividing up Tarrant county’s voters of color," October 4, 2021
- ↑ Texas Legislature Online, "HB 1," accessed October 15, 2021
- ↑ 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
- ↑ 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
- ↑ Austin American-Statesman, "Texas Senate gives final OK to Senate redistricting map," October 4, 2021
- ↑ 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
- ↑ National Conference of State Legislatures, "State Primary Election Systems," accessed May 29, 2017
- ↑ Texas Secretary of State, "Important 2018 Election Dates," accessed September 11, 2017
- ↑ Texas Secretary of State, "Important 2016 Election Dates," accessed December 14, 2015
- ↑ Follow the Money, "Texas Senate 2010 Campaign Contributions," accessed August 2, 2013
- ↑ Follow the Money, "Texas 2008 Candidates," accessed August 2, 2013
- ↑ Follow the Money, "Texas 2006 Candidates," accessed August 2, 2013
- ↑ Follow the Money, "Texas 2004 Candidates," accessed August 2, 2013
- ↑ Follow the Money, "Texas 2002 Candidates," accessed August 2, 2013
- ↑ Follow the Money, "Texas 2000 Candidates," accessed August 2, 2013
- ↑ National Conference of State Legislatures, "State Primary Election Systems," accessed May 29, 2017
- ↑ Texas Secretary of State, "Important 2018 Election Dates," accessed September 11, 2017
- ↑ Texas Secretary of State, "Important 2016 Election Dates," accessed December 14, 2015
- ↑ Follow the Money, "Texas House 2010 Campaign Contributions," accessed August 2, 2013
- ↑ Follow the Money, "Texas 2008 Candidates," accessed August 2, 2013
- ↑ Follow the Money, "Texas 2006 Candidates," accessed August 2, 2013
- ↑ Follow the Money, "Texas 2004 Candidates," accessed August 2, 2013
- ↑ Follow the Money, "Texas 2002 Candidates," accessed August 2, 2013
- ↑ Follow the Money, "Texas 2000 Candidates," accessed August 2, 2013
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