Plaintiffs Win Voting Rights Suit Against the City of Santa Monica

[diva77]

Source: Santa Monica LOOKOUT

By Jorge Casuso

November 13, 2018 -- In a historic decision that could radically change the makeup of the City Council, a Superior Court judge has ruled in favor of the Latino plaintiffs in a voting rights lawsuit against the City.

In her tentative decision -- sent by mail on Friday and received by plaintiffs and the defense on Tuesday -- Superior Court Judge Yvette M. Palazuelos found the City had violated the plaintiffs' rights under the California Voting Rights Act.

She also ruled in favor of the plaintiffs' claim that in 1946 and 1992 the City deliberately discriminated against Latinos by refusing to implement district elections.

Palazuelos set a hearing to propose an appropriate remedy for December 7.

The two-page ruling paves the way for replacing Santa Monica's at-large voting system with districts that are expected to reduce the role of money and the power wielded by citywide organizations.

"In my heart I always knew that justice would prevail," said Maria Loya, who along with the Pico Neighborhood Association (PNA) is a plaintiff in the case. "It's good to know that Judge Palazuelos looked beyond the City Council's deceptive tactics.

"This judgment is a victory for democracy, fairness and accountability in our local government."
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Read more: https://www.surfsantamonica.com/ssm_site/the_lookout/news/News-2018/November-2018/11_13_2018_Plaintiffs_Win_Voting_Rights_Lawsuit_Against_the_City_of_%20Santa_Monica.html

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original complaint here: https://www.santamonica.gov/Media/Default/Attorney/Election/Complaint.pdf

This could set a precedent that will positively affect voting rights elsewhere (will re-edit when find better discussion of implications)

[BumRushDaShow]

1. I would think a number of small cities like this one already have "district" elections

The model to have that is definitely needed for places that only have at-large seats because minorities often never get any neighborhood-specific focus in an at-large only setup.

Here in Philly, we have 17 City Council members, with 10 elected from geographic "districts" and the other 7 being at-large (citywide). At least 2 at-large seats must be set aside for the minority political party (which obviously here, is the GOP).

[SunSeeker]

2. Wow, when did the Santa Monica City Council become so right wing?

I remember when it had a progressive majority and passed rent control in the late 70s. I remember in the 1990s, they had a homeless feeding program right on the city hall front lawn. But then the tech companies moved in sometime after 2000, and it became Silicon Valley South.