Voting Rights

A federal lawsuit, La Unión del Pueblo Entero v. Ross, challenges the Trump administration for ordering that a citizenship question be added to the 2020 Census. The goal is to severely undercount Latinos, Asian Americans, immigrants, and other populations to dilute their political representation.

LOS ANGELES – It is with deep sadness that MALDEF announces the passing of former president and general counsel Joaquin G. Avila, whose long career at the civil right organization and in the community was highlighted by his landmark work in voting rights advocacy and litigation.

Washington, D.C. – A motion filed by a coalition of civil rights groups to voluntarily dismiss their claims against the discredited and now-disbanded “Election Integrity Commission” has been approved by a federal court judge.

LOS ANGELES – A federal court judge dismissed a lawsuit today that sought to overturn the City of Poway’s election system and challenged the constitutionality of the California Voting Rights Act (CVRA).

Los Angeles, CA- MALDEF sent a letter to the Victor Elementary School District in Victorville today warning that its at-large system of electing Board of Trustees members violates the California Voting Rights Act of 2001 (CVRA).

(Los Angeles, CA) – Trial in a lawsuit filed by MALDEF alleging that Kern County, California has violated the federal Voting Rights Act concluded in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California this week. It was the first federal Voting Rights Act trial in California in over a decade and a half.

(Los Angeles, CA) – Thomas A. Saenz, president and general counsel of MALDEF (Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund), released the following statement today following a vote by the Lodi City Council to adopt a resolution of intent to move from an at-large to a district-based election system.

LOS ANGELES  – A lawsuit filed by MALDEF alleging that Kern County, California has failed to comply with the federal Voting Rights Act goes to trial in federal court tomorrow.

(Fresno, CA) – A lawsuit filed by MALDEF (Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund) alleging that Kern County, California has failed to comply with the federal Voting Rights Act goes to trial in federal court on December 5.

(Los Angeles, CA) – Civil rights advocates are asking a federal court to allow them to intervene in a lawsuit that seeks to overturn the City of Poway’s election system and challenges the constitutionality of the California Voting Rights Act (CVRA).