25% of Travis in new House districts

AUSTIN (KXAN) - Once a decade -- to adjust for population changes -- state lawmakers redraw your voting districts. This election, it's that time again. So voters will want to check twice before heading to the polls, and consider the person who could be making the decisions that affect a their health, money and children's education.

Out for a morning stroll down the street from her Southwest Austin home, Rondena Mackey knows it is only a matter of time before campaign signs start popping up along her path. For this voter, it is a way to let her know who is on the ballot.

"It's an informed vote to not just go in and push a button and not really have to understand who it was,” said Mackey.

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But state lawmakers just went through the redistricting process and shook things up for Mackey. Now, she will have to vote in a new state House district.

Map makers drew new lines right through the middle of her neighborhood. Some are in the old House District 47, while others like Mackey are in the new House District 48.

In fact, 25 percent of the entire county's population had to switch House districts as borders changed. Mackey’s district is the most different. HD 48 now has a population where 60 percent of the people are new.

"It has shifted to be a more Democratic district,” said Rep. Donna Howard, D-Austin. “It's actually a little younger overall than the previous district."

Howard -- the incumbent -- knows how important reaching those fresh faces will be. She won her last election by just four votes.

"You need to be out talking to the community, making sure that the constituents know who you are,” she said.

Howard and her Republican rival, Robert Thomas, are dealing with a much more urban district now anchored in the south.

"You do have to be able to figure out a way to touch all the people in that dense area,” said Thomas.

Mackey said, so far, she is not familiar with either candidate. To win her vote, she will have to get to know them first.

“So do you think there's going to be an increase in the 'robocalls' and the leaflets?" she joked.

These new redistricting maps for Congress, state House and state Senate are just temporary for this election. Legal battles are playing out after the Republican-drawn maps came under fire for minority discrimination. So that means your district could change again the next time you head to the polls.