1996 United States House of Representatives elections in Texas

1996 United States House of Representatives elections in Texas

← 1994 November 5, 1996 1998 →

All 30 Texas seats to the United States House of Representatives
  Majority party Minority party
 
Party Democratic Republican
Last election 19 11
Seats before 18 12
Seats won 17 13
Seat change Decrease 1 Increase 1
Popular vote 2,206,346 2,604,389
Percentage 44.8% 52.9%
Swing Increase 2.7% Decrease 2.8%

The 1996 United States House of Representatives elections in Texas occurred on November 5, 1996, to elect the members of the state of Texas's delegation to the United States House of Representatives. Texas had thirty seats in the House, apportioned according to the 1990 United States census.

Texas underwent mid-decade redistricting as a result of the Supreme Court case Bush v. Vera. The court had ruled that districts such as District 18 and District 30 were racially gerrymandered.[1] A prior district court decision had voided the results of the primary elections in 13 districts, which the Supreme Court upheld. These districts instead conducted special elections concurrent with the general elections.[2][3]

These elections occurred simultaneously with the United States Senate elections of 1996, the United States House elections in other states, and various state and local elections.

Texas Democrats maintained their majority in Texas' congressional delegation, albeit reduced by two seats from 1994. These elections produced an unusually high level of turnover due to the retirements of several representatives.[3]

  1. ^ "Bush v. Vera, 517 U.S. 952 (1996)". Justia Law. Retrieved May 19, 2022.
  2. ^ "History". redistricting.capitol.texas.gov. Retrieved May 19, 2022.
  3. ^ a b Ramos, Mary G. (1997). "Texas Almanac, 1998-1999". The Portal to Texas History. p. 385. Retrieved June 17, 2022.

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