Newspaper: Texas Latinos Underrepresented in Local Politics

A newspaper analysis has found deep patterns of underrepresentation of Texas' fast-growing Hispanic population on city councils and commissioner courts across the state.

The Austin American-Statesman (http://atxne.ws/2ewO5X7 ) says more than 1.3 million Hispanics in Texas live in cities or counties with no Hispanic representation on their city council or commissioners court. And in a state where Hispanics make up 38 percent of the population, only about 10 percent of mayors and county judges are Hispanic.

Latinos made up 10 percent of county commissioner positions in 1994. Today, it's at 13 percent -- even though the state's Hispanic population nearly doubled during that time.

Election experts and Hispanic officeholders say the disparity defies easy explanation. They point out several factors, including Texas laws that have made registering to vote more difficult.

A newspaper analysis has found deep patterns of underrepresentation of Texas' fast-growing Hispanic population on city councils and commissioner courts across the state.

The Austin American-Statesman says more than 1.3 million Hispanics in Texas live in cities or counties with no Hispanic representation on their city council or commissioners court.

And in a state where Hispanics make up 38 percent of the population, only about 10 percent of mayors and county judges are Hispanic.

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Latinos made up 10 percent of county commissioner positions in 1994. Today, it's at 13 percent -- even though the state's Hispanic population nearly doubled during that time.

Election experts and Hispanic officeholders say the disparity defies easy explanation.

They point out several factors, including Texas laws that have made registering to vote more difficult.