Redistricting

HOUSTON, TX – A federal court trial begins Thursday in a closely watched lawsuit that alleges voting discrimination against Latinos in Pasadena, Texas.

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.

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.