More people get better representation if they get two votes rather than one.'' For more than eight years, Taylor County has been split between two senatorial districts. The districts stretch from the Oklahoma border to the Hill Country and from the Panhandle to cities north of Dallas. What I've heard is that people want one senator, that one voice is more powerful than two,'' said Fraser, chairman of the Senate Interim Redistricting Committee. Population shift Redistricting is prompted by the U.S. Census Bureau updating population figures every 10 years, which requires lawmakers to redraw political boundaries. Districts statewide lose or gain population, which causes a shift as lawmakers try to put the ideal number of constituents in each district.
Members also try to draw district lines to benefit their party.
Growing populations in metropolitan and suburban areas could shift representation there. We're concerned that West Texas might lose some legislative seats because of decreased population,'' said state Rep. Bob Hunter, R-Abilene. State Rep. David Counts, D-Knox City, said this is the first time representation in rural Texas has been so vulnerable. We have always lost a little population because of cities building up around metropolitan areas,'' said Counts, whose district includes Jones, Howard, Kent, Nolan, Knox, Scurry and Stonewall counties. Counts predicts at least two rural lawmakers west of Interstate 35 and two east of I-25 will lose their seats.