Voting Rights

MALDEF THREATENS VICTOR VALLEY COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICT WITH LEGAL ACTION OVER AT-LARGE VOTING SYSTEM

Nov 3, 2016 | ,

LOS ANGELES, CA – In a letter sent today to Victor Valley Community College District officials, MALDEF warned that the current at-large system used to elect the five-member Board of Trustees violates the California Voting Rights Act of 2001 (CVRA). The letter, sent to Victor Valley Community College District Superintendent Roger Wagner, alleges that the election system used by Victor Valley Community College District dilutes the Latino vote and prevents Latino voters from electing candidates of their choice to serve on the Board of Trustees.

MALDEF WARNS CHAFFEY COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICT OF LEGAL ACTION OVER ELECTION SYSTEM

Oct 29, 2016 | ,

LOS ANGELES, CA – In a letter sent today to Chaffey Community College District President Henry D. Shannon, MALDEF warned that the current at-large system used to elect the five-member Governing Board violates the California Voting Rights Act of 2001 (CVRA) by diluting the Latino vote and preventing Latino voters from electing candidates of their choice to serve on the board.

FEDERAL COURT CLEARS THE WAY FOR MALDEF’S VOTING RIGHTS LAWSUIT AGAINST PASADENA, TEXAS TO MOVE TO TRIAL

Aug 25, 2016 | , ,

HOUSTON, TX – A federal judge today ruled that a lawsuit challenging changes to the City of Pasadena’s voting system will head to trial. U.S. District Court Judge Lee H. Rosenthal’s decision comes nearly two years after MALDEF first sued Pasadena on behalf of five Hispanic residents when city officials moved to replace the eight single-member voting districts with a hybrid system that includes two at-large seats. The lawsuit argues the new system seeks to dilute Hispanic voting strength.

MALDEF DEMANDS VICTOR VALLEY UNION HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT CHANGE ITS AT-LARGE BOARD ELECTION SYSTEM

Aug 12, 2016 | ,

VICTORVILLE, CA – Today, MALDEF sent a letter to the Board President and Superintendent of the Victor Valley Union High School District (“Victor Valley UHSD”), demanding that the system for electing members to the Board of Trustees be changed to comply with the California Voting Rights Act (“CVRA”). Victor Valley UHSD currently elects trustees using an at-large method, which has denied Latino residents the opportunity to elect candidates of their choice to the Board of Trustees. MALDEF demands that the District convert to a by-district election system.

MALDEF DEMANDS CITY OF MONROVIA CHANGE ITS AT-LARGE ELECTION SYSTEM

Aug 11, 2016 | ,

MONROVIA, CA – Today, MALDEF sent a letter to the Mayor of Monrovia and the Monrovia City Council, demanding that the system for electing members to the city council be changed to comply with the California Voting Rights Act (CVRA). The City currently elects council members using an at-large method, which has denied Latino residents the opportunity to elect candidates of their choice to the City Council. MALDEF demands that the City convert to a by-district election system.

MALDEF DEMANDS CITY OF CHINO HILLS CHANGE ITS AT-LARGE ELECTION SYSTEM

Aug 10, 2016 | ,

CHINO HILLS, CA – Today, MALDEF sent a letter to the Mayor of Chino Hills and the Chino Hills City Council, demanding that the system for electing members to the city council be changed to comply with the California Voting Rights Act (CVRA). The City currently elects council members using an at-large method, which has denied Latino residents the opportunity to elect candidates of their choice to the City Council. MALDEF demands that the City convert to a by-district election system.

MALDEF DEMANDS CITY OF REDLANDS CHANGE ITS AT-LARGE ELECTION SYSTEM

Jul 16, 2016 | ,

REDLANDS, CA – Today, MALDEF sent a letter to the Mayor of Redlands and the Redlands City Council, demanding that the system for electing members to the city council be changed to comply with the California Voting Rights Act (CVRA). The City currently elects council members using an at-large method, which has denied Latino residents the opportunity to elect candidates of their choice to the City Council. MALDEF demands that the City convert to a by-district election system.

MALDEF DEMANDS CITY OF RIALTO CHANGE ITS AT-LARGE ELECTION SYSTEM

May 27, 2016 | ,

RIALTO, CA – Today, MALDEF sent a letter to the Mayor of Rialto and the Rialto City Council, demanding that the system for electing members to the city council be changed to comply with the California Voting Rights Act (CVRA). The City currently elects council members using an at-large method, which has denied Latino and African American residents the opportunity to elect candidates of their choice to the City Council. MALDEF demands that the City convert to a by-district election system.

MALDEF DEMANDS SEQUOIA UNION HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT CHANGE ITS AT-LARGE BOARD ELECTION SYSTEM

May 20, 2016 | ,

REDWOOD CITY, Calif. – Today, MALDEF sent a letter to the Board President and Superintendent of the Sequoia Union High School District (“Sequoia UHSD”), demanding that the system for electing members of the board of trustees be changed to comply with the California Voting Rights Act (“CVRA”). Sequoia UHSD currently elects trustees using an at-large method, which has denied Latino residents the opportunity to elect candidates of their choice to the Board of Trustees. MALDEF demands the election system be changed to a district-based system.

MALDEF SUES KERN COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS FOR VIOLATING FEDERAL VOTING RIGHTS ACT

Apr 23, 2016 | , ,

BAKERSFIELD, CA – Today, MALDEF filed suit against the Kern County, California Board of Supervisors, in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California, for violating Section 2 of the federal Voting Rights Act of 1965. The suit, filed on behalf of Latino citizens of Kern County, challenges Kern County’s 2011 redistricting plan for unlawfully diluting the Latino vote and effectively preventing Latinos from meaningful participation in Board of Supervisors elections.