On Thursday, October 21st, Discourse in Democracy and the Department of Political Science hosted a panel discussion entitled “Redistricting Texas.” The panel included the department’s very own Dr. Michael Faber of Texas State, who spoke about the history of redistricting and controversies surrounding it; Dr. Rebecca Theobald of the University of Colorado, who discussed the geographical considerations bearing on redistricting; Dr. Betsygail Rand of Texas Lutheran University, who explored the mathematical procedures employed in drawing and analyzing districting maps; and Dr. Mark P. Jones of Rice University, who examined the political situation surrounding the current redistricting effort and its potential effects on the future of Texas and U.S. politics. The event was moderated by Dr. T. Vance McMahon of the Political Science Department.
The event was concise, effectively conducting a thorough investigation of the topic in an hour and a half. One attendee noted that the event “was a timely and fascinating discussion,” staffed by “highly knowledgeable panelists” from “across the nation.”
