November 3, 2024 Breaking News, Latest News, and Videos

‘They Were Powerless to Stop the City’: Plaintiffs in Voting Rights Case File Brief

Pico Neighborhood Association files brief asking appeals Court to uphold district election ruling

By Sam Catanzaro

Plaintiffs in a voting rights case against the City of Santa Monica have filed a brief reiterating their argument that the city’s at-large election system dilutes the voting power of Latino residents, asking an appeals court to uphold an earlier ruling calling for district elections.

“The evidence showed that meaningful Latino candidates are overwhelmingly preferred by Latino voters, yet Latino candidates almost always lose,” wrote plaintiff attorney Kevin Shenkman in an 82-page brief filed last month. “This lack of representation for Latinos, who are 16% of the city’s population and most concentrated in the city’s Pico neighborhood, meant they were powerless to stop the city from dissecting their community with a freeway and turning their home into the city’s toxic waste and trash dump site.”

The plaintiffs, the Pico Neighborhood Association, filed the brief on December 27 in response to an opening brief filed by the City of Santa Monica in October in which defense attorney Theodore Boutrous argued that district elections actually decrease the voting power of Latino voters.

“Over 70 years ago, prominent civil-rights leaders in Santa Monica urged the City to adopt its current at-large method of electing its seven-member Council—which expanded minority voting strength over the prior system. In the last quarter century of elections, the undisputed evidence demonstrates that Latino voters’ preferred candidates have won Council seats the majority of the time, even though Latinos make up only 13.6% of the City’s voting population,” reads the city’s brief.

The case, Pico Neighborhood Association, et al. v. City of Santa Monica, filed by plaintiffs Pico Neighborhood Association, Maria Loya and Advocates for Malibu Public Schools alleges that Santa Monica’s at-large election system dilutes Latino voting power in violation of the CVRA and discriminates against Latino voters in violation of the Equal Protection Clause of the California Constitution.

On March 27, 2019, the Second Appellate District of the Court of Appeal of the State of California issued a stay on a special election when they said that current members of Santa Monica City Council can legally serve during the duration of the city’s appeal.

Both the plaintiffs and the defense will give oral arguments in the next phase of the appeal.

Under an expedited schedule requested by the City of Santa Monica, the court will make its final ruling by July 10, 2020, to allow time to prepare for potential districts.

in News
<>Related Posts

Beverly Hills City Government Agrees to a Stipulated Judgment After Blocking Abortion Clinic Opening

November 1, 2024

November 1, 2024

City to Implement Training, Oversight on Reproductive Rights Following Legal Settlement  California Attorney General Rob Bonta announced a legal agreement...

Dia De Los Muertos 2024: Here’s Where To Celebrate The Holiday Tradition This Weekend

October 31, 2024

October 31, 2024

Los Angeles Has a Variety of Ways to Explore Latino Culture and Honor Ancestors Starting just after Halloween, Dia de...

Santa Monica Seeks Public Input on Cannabis Equity Program

October 31, 2024

October 31, 2024

This Program Aims to Ensure That Individuals Affected by Past Criminalization Have Fair Access to Opportunities Santa Monica is calling...

(Video) Downtown L.A. Reacts to World Series Victory

October 31, 2024

October 31, 2024

The Dodgers Are World Series Champs For The Eighth Time https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTFtyDDKn

Here’s Why West L.A. Stunk So Bad This Week

October 31, 2024

October 31, 2024

Coastal Communities Were Blanketed by an Intense Smell Brought on by an Oceanic Phenomena Sarena Snider had just returned to...

Halloween Pre-Game Party Brings Chills and Spooky Thrills to The Rose Venice

October 31, 2024

October 31, 2024

Enjoy Halloween With Festive Cocktails, Appetizers, and a Costume Contest The Rose Venice in Venice is set to host a...

Michael Mina’s Egyptian-Mediterranean Restaurant Opens in Santa Monica

October 30, 2024

October 30, 2024

Inside, the 270-Seat Restaurant’s Interior Draws Inspiration From Greek and Egyptian Coastal Aesthetics Renowned chef Michael Mina has opened his...

Los Angeles Dodgers Win 2024 World Series in Thrilling Comeback Against Yankees

October 30, 2024

October 30, 2024

Dodgers Claim the Championship Title With a Stunning Victory After Intense Game By Dolores Quintana The Los Angeles Dodgers are...

Trailer for Luca Guadagnino’s Queer Drops, Set for Limited Release on November 27

October 30, 2024

October 30, 2024

Based on William S. Burroughs’ Novel, the FilmBrings a Powerful Love Story to Life Not content with releasing one amazing...

Petition Launched to Stop Sale of Venice’s Friendship Baptist Church

October 30, 2024

October 30, 2024

Congregants were recently made aware that the church property at 606 Broadway Street was listed for sale Members of Venice’s...

(Video) Home Front Build Maintains Original Architectural Vision For Modern Homes

October 29, 2024

October 29, 2024

For More Information, Go to homefrontbuild.com @smmirrornews Home Front Build Adapts Original Vision of Architect Into Modern Structures #home #construction...

Governor Gavin Newsom Allocates $827 Million to Combat Homelessness Statewide

October 29, 2024

October 29, 2024

New Funding Aims To Create Housing, Expand Shelters, Enhance Support Services Governor Gavin Newsom announced $827 million in new state...

Big Blue Bus to Unveil New Dog Park with Community Celebration

October 29, 2024

October 29, 2024

Attendees Can Enter Their Pets in a Doggie Fall Fashion Show, With Prizes From Local Businesses The City of Santa...

At Vistamar School – Discover the way high school should be

October 29, 2024

October 29, 2024

Students achieve remarkable outcomes with our strong academics, small classes, and personalized approach. Our graduates don’t just attend college—they excel....