AUSTIN, Texas -- Lawyers representing Hispanic and African American groups have asked judges in Washington to make a decision quickly on whether new political maps in Texas violate the federal Voting Rights Act.

The lawyers say interim political maps issued by a San Antonio court will discriminate against minorities and that only a ruling by the Washington judges could correct the problem.

There are two separate court cases looking at the redistricting maps in Texas. The Washington court must decide if the maps are legal. The San Antonio judges must decide if they are fair.

The lawyers hope a ruling made by the Washington court soon would force the San Antonio judges to draw more favorable political districts for minorities.

Republicans have called the maps drawn by the San Antonio court fair.