July 11, 2025 Breaking News, Latest News, and Videos

Pico Calls for Voting: Change Santa Monica’s At-Large Council Elections Face Competing Lawsuits

By Jennifer Eden

 

A legal battle contesting at-large elections in Santa Monica is currently underway, with an initial lawsuit from Pico Neighborhood Association (PNA) and Maria Loya this week receiving a summary judgement request from the City of Santa Monica.

The initial lawsuit calls for the abolition of at-large elections in Santa Monica, claiming that marginalized communities have not received representation on City Council and decision-making bodies.

“There has been a long history of racial injustice in Santa Monica,” lawsuit plaintiff Maria Loya told The Mirror. “Many people forget that the Pico Neighborhood was created by land-use policies, restrictive covenants and red-lining to ensure that people of color were segregated in a particular area within Santa Monica. This type of social engineering was solidified by the creation of at-large elections in 1947 which made it virtually impossible to successfully elect a person of color to the City Council.”

Plaintiffs are calling for neighborhood-based representation and voting, which would see Santa Monica divided into council districts in a similar vein to Los Angeles City.

Santa Monica City, however, claims that representation of all neighborhoods is currently fair in the at-large system; stating that from a 13 percent Latino/a voting population in Santa Monica, 28.5 percent, or two of the current seven sitting City Councilmembers, are Latino/a.

One of the sitting Latino members, Gleam Davis, agrees with the City’s stance. “In a relatively small city such as Santa Monica, I think it is a better system when all seven members of the council, not just one, are accountable to every Santa Monica voter,” Councilmember Davis told The Mirror. Davis’ birth father hails from Jalisco, Mexico, and she believes that dividing the city into districts as opposed to at-large elections, “will reduce transparency and increase horse-trading among the councilmembers, “deals will be made outside of the view of the public”.

“Never has a person of color who resides in the Pico Neighborhood been elected to serve on the City Council,” retorted Loya. “How is that fair?”

According to the City, at-large elections have been in place in Santa Monica for more than a century, “voters have twice affirmed the at-large election system – in 1975 (rejecting failed Proposition 3) and in 2002 (rejecting failed Measure HH).”

“It is impossible to create a Latino/a-majority district in Santa Monica,” the City stated, “the creation of any district designed to concentrate Latino/a voters would actually have the opposite result – isolating the majority of Latino/a voters outside of that district.”

Loya disagrees: “Residents of color from the Pico Neighborhood have run multiple times for City Council in order to challenge these policies and practices but the at large election system diluted the votes of Pico Neighborhood residents. The impact this has had on our quality of life has been harmful.”

A hearing on the motion is currently scheduled for June 14, 2018. If the court grants the City’s motion, it will end the lawsuit. If the court denies the motion, the case will proceed to trial.

Pico youth advocate fairness at a recent CRJ meeting.
Photo: Pico Youth and Family Center.
<>Related Posts

Father-Daughter Authors to Host Book Signing to Aid Fire-Affected Women

July 10, 2025

July 10, 2025

Ten percent of proceeds from book and art sales will benefit the Pacific Palisades Rebuilding Fund, a nonprofit initiative created...

Metro Reports Crime Drop, Higher Rider Satisfaction, and Progress on Major Projects

July 9, 2025

July 9, 2025

The Authority said the drop in violent incidents—down to the lowest level since May 2019—coincided with more uniformed personnel and...

Santa Monica Joins Regional Lawsuit to Halt Unconstitutional ICE Raids

July 9, 2025

July 9, 2025

The motion to intervene seeks to ensure that Santa Monica and other plaintiff-intervenors can advocate for their residents’ rights in...

Promenade Restaurant Introduces Lunch Menu Set at $18 Per Person

July 9, 2025

July 9, 2025

The fixed $18 price point targets commuters and those seeking a power lunch or a change of scenery The restaurant...

Santa Monica Council Votes in Support of Park-Centric Future at Airport Site

July 9, 2025

July 9, 2025

The decision followed a contentious meeting with over 140 public speakers and more than 1,000 emails received by the council...

Housing for Health Chief Appointed to Lead Unified Homeless Services Department

July 9, 2025

July 9, 2025

Veteran Housing Advocate to Oversee Streamlined LA County Services The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday confirmed the...

‘Adoptapalooza’ Pet Adoption Festival Returns to Main Street This Weekend

July 9, 2025

July 9, 2025

The free, family-friendly event aims to connect adoptable animals with new owners Green Dog Dental & Veterinary Center will host...

Virtual Town Hall to Discuss Proposed Resilient Rebuilding Authority

July 9, 2025

July 9, 2025

The agency, to be run by political appointees, would manage permitting, development, zoning, and funding, modeled after post-disaster recoveries Los...

New Agenda Coaching: Changing Lives in LA

July 8, 2025

July 8, 2025

Students Work Toward Applied Success with Executive Function Coaching Services The demands of daily routines and studies sometimes bear weight...

Saint Monica Prep Students Win Award for Anti-Street Racing PSA Video

July 8, 2025

July 8, 2025

The winning public service announcement, titled “Not Worth It,” was highlighted in a post on X by @LADOTofficial  Students from...

Anti-Drunk Driving Resolution Introduced as City Council Honors Late Palisades Teen Killed in Crash

July 8, 2025

July 8, 2025

Levi, who was set to attend the University of Virginia this fall, was killed by a drunk driver on May...

Free and Reduced Price School Meals Available for Eligible Families in Santa Monica-Malibu District

July 8, 2025

July 8, 2025

Parents in Need Encouraged to Apply, SMMUSD Commits to Nutritious, Accessible Meals By Brandyi Phillips, SMMUSD Chief Communications Officer Santa...

Big Blue Bus to Raise Fares for First Time in Nearly a Decade

July 8, 2025

July 8, 2025

The fare increase aims to offset rising costs for fuel, utilities, and supplies, according to the agency. The Santa Monica...

Shore Hotel: A Local Destination for Summer Fun

July 8, 2025

July 8, 2025

Bring on all things summer. Walking or biking along Santa Monica Pier, you might find yourself taking a pause at...

Santa Monica’s 150th Anniversary to be Celebrated with Vibrant State of the City Event

July 7, 2025

July 7, 2025

Attendees are encouraged to bring blankets, beach chairs, and picnics to enjoy during the performances Santa Monica will mark its...