FIFTH CIRCUIT COURT OF APPEALS TO HEAR ORAL ARGUMENT ON PASADENA, TEXAS FEDERAL VOTING RIGHTS ACT CASE

MALDEF

February 2, 2017

Houston, TX - MALDEF (Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund) will present oral argument to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit on Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2017. MALDEF will be arguing in opposition to a request by the City of Pasadena, Texas to use the election system that was struck down by a lower court in the City’s 2017 municipal elections.

What:

Oral argument

Who:

Nina Perales, MALDEF vice president of litigation

When:

11:30 a.m., Wednesday, February 1, 2017

Where:

BOB CASEY UNITED STATES COURTHOUSE COURTROOM 11-D 515 Rusk St. Houston, TX 77002

Background: In January 2017, a federal court ruled that the City of Pasadena’s election system was unconstitutional and violated the federal Voting Rights Act because it intentionally diluted Latino voting strength.

U.S. District Judge Lee H. Rosenthal ordered Pasadena to revert to its previous use of an eight single-member district system for the upcoming elections in May 2017. Additionally, she ruled that the city would need to obtain pre-clearance from the U.S. Department of Justice for any future changes.

In response, Pasadena asked the Fifth Circuit to temporarily stay the lower court’s ruling so that the city can proceed under the prior system that was held to be unlawful in the City’s 2017 elections.

Case No.17-20030, Alberto Patino, et al v. City of Pasadena

Founded in 1968, MALDEF is the nation's leading Latino legal civil rights organization. Often described as the "Latino Legal Voice for Civil Rights in America" MALDEF promotes social change through advocacy, communications, community education, and litigation in the areas of education, employment, immigrant rights, and political access. For more information on MALDEF, please visit: www.maldef.org.