March 19, 2024 The Best Source of News, Culture, Lifestyle for Culver City, Mar Vista, Del Rey, Palms and West Los Angeles

Judge Orders Santa Monica to Switch to District Elections

Final judgement calls for July 2 special election to choose new council. 

By Sam Catanzaro 

A final judgment has been issued in the case of Pico Neighborhood Association, et al. v. City of Santa Monica, with the court ruling that the city’s at-large election system is in violation of the California Voting Rights Act (CRVA) and the Equal Protection Clause of the California Constitution. In addition, Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Yvette M. Palazuelos has ordered that all future elections for seats on the Santa Monica City Council be based on a seven-district map drawn by an expert for the plaintiffs and that the City hold a special election on July 2, 2019, for all seven seats on the Santa Monica City Council using this new district map.

The seven-district map drawn by the plaintiffs.

The case, filed by plaintiffs Pico Neighborhood Association, Maria Loya and Advocates for Malibu Public Schools alleges that Santa Monica’s at-large election system dilutes Latino voting power in violation of the (CVRA) and discriminates against Latino voters in violation of the Equal Protection Clause of the California Constitution. In her final ruling released February 15, Judge Palazuelos adopted the plaintiff’s judgment.

“Plaintiffs have demonstrated that elections in Santa Monica, namely elections for Defendant’s city council involving at least one Latino candidate, are consistently and significantly characterized by ‘racially-polarized voting as that term is defined in California Elections Code Section 14026,” Judge Palazuelos wrote. “In the face of racially polarized voting patterns of the Santa Monica electorate, Defendant has imposed an at-large method of election in a manner that impairs the ability of Latinos to elect candidates of their choice or influence the outcome of elections, as a result of the dilution or the abridgment of the rights of Latino voters.”

In analyzing elections over the past 24 years, the court found a consistent pattern of racially-polarized voting. In most elections where the choice is available, Latino voters strongly prefer a Latino candidate running for council, but, despite that support, the preferred Latino candidate loses. As a result, though Latino candidates are generally preferred by the Latino electorate only one Latino has been elected to Santa Monica City Council in the 72 years of the current election system. In addition, Judge Palazuelos wrote that Latinos in Santa Monica continue to live with the effects of past discrimination in areas such as education, employment and health, which hinders their ability to participate effectively in the political process.

Therefore, in her final judgment, Judge Palazuelos ruled that district-based elections were the most appropriate remedy to address the effects of racially polarized voting.

“All further elections, from the date of entry of this Judgment for any seats on the Santa Monica City Council, shall be district-based elections, as defined by the California Voting Rights Act, in accordance with the map attached hereto,” Judge Palazuelos wrote.

Judge Palazuelos went on to state that in addition to future elections being district-based, a special election shall be held to choose a new council, as, under her ruling, the seven-current councilmembers are sitting illegally.

“The current members of the Santa Monica City Council were elected through unlawful elections. The residents of the City of Santa Monica deserve to have a lawfully elected city council as soon as practical, Judge Palazuelos wrote. “Defendant shall hold a district-based special election, consistent with the district map attached hereto on July 2, 2019 for each of the seven seats on the Santa Monica City Council.”

In a statement released following Judge Palazuelos’ final judgment, Theodore J. Boutrous, Jr., from Gibson Dunn & Crutcher LLP, one of the lawyers representing the City, took aim at the verdict and stated the City will potentially appeal the ruling.

“The court’s final ruling will actually hurt minority voting rights. The evidence at trial clearly demonstrated that moving to a district system in Santa Monica will dilute the voting power of Latinos and other minorities citywide,” Boutrous, Jr. said. “As we have said from the outset, this case presents significant legal issues of first impression that California’s appellate courts will need to resolve. The City is now considering all options, including an appeal.”

In a December interview with the Westside Today, Rex Parris, an attorney representing the plaintiffs in a voting rights case against the City of Santa Monica estimates that the City will spend at least $10,000,000 in legal fees if they decide to appeal the judge’s final decision.

The City, when asked if the seven-figure estimate was accurate said they could not speak on the matter, citing attorney-client privilege.

Following Judge Palazuelos’ February 15 final judgment, Parris told the Westside Today that he is unsure if an appellate court will grant the city an automatic stay and stated that even if the city does appeal, the odds of them prevailing are very low.

“What are the odds of reversing on this appeal? Very remote,” Parris said. “At some point, rational people are going to have to take a look at this beyond their self-interest.”

 

Related Posts

Culver City to Host Courageous Conversations Workshop For March This Week

March 18, 2024

March 18, 2024

Event Created  by City’s Equity and Human Relations Advisory Committee The City of Culver City’s Equity and Human Relations Advisory...

Woman Sentenced for $3.9 Million Fraud and Body Disposal Scheme with Elderly Victim

March 18, 2024

March 18, 2024

Gruesome Attempt to Dispose of Victim’s Body in West Los Angeles Apartment A San Fernando Valley woman has been sentenced...

Roadway Construction Alert at LAX: Plan Your Travel Accordingly

March 18, 2024

March 18, 2024

Lane Restrictions Scheduled Nightly from March 17 to March 23 After this weekend’s closures of Century Boulevard, which frustrated travelers...

Firearms Found After Police Pursuit Ends in West Los Angeles Neighborhood

March 18, 2024

March 18, 2024

Suspect Arrested Following Unintentional Discharge Incident A vehicle pursuit involving officers from the West Los Angeles Division on March 15,...

Tensley Wines to Take Part in Wine Masterclass in Culver City

March 17, 2024

March 17, 2024

Join Joey Tensley for an Exclusive Tasting Experience  Tensley Wines will participate in an exclusive Masterclass hosted by Total Wine...

Culver City Council Approves Monument Signs, Affordable Housing Initiatives

March 17, 2024

March 17, 2024

City leaders greenlight static signs for Culver Steps The Culver City Council has greenlit two static monument signs aimed at...

FBI Seeks Victims of Alleged Online Exploitation Scheme Allegedly Run by Resident of Santa Monica

March 17, 2024

March 17, 2024

Individuals Urged to Come Forward in Investigation of John Douglas Burch The FBI’s Philadelphia Field Office is urging individuals to...

(Video) Sarah Kate Ellis, President and CEO of GLAAD Responds to News of Nex Benedict’s Cause of Death

March 15, 2024

March 15, 2024

Sarah Kate Ellis, President and CEO of GLAAD, responds to the release of the Oklahoma Medical Examiner’s Ruling on Nex...

The Auld Fella: Brentwood and Culver City’s St. Patrick’s Weekend Destination

March 15, 2024

March 15, 2024

Join the Craic at The Auld Fella’s Celebrations: Dining, Drinking, Shenanigans If you are looking for an epic St. Patrick’s...

Venice Family Clinic Announces Inaugural HEART Gala to Celebrate Health and Art

March 15, 2024

March 15, 2024

Event Honors Creative Community and Supporters of Vital Health Care Services Venice Family Clinic, a non-profit community health center dedicated...

“Love Lies Bleeding” is Ripped: Actress Katy O’Brian Talks Love, Sex, and Vulnerability

March 15, 2024

March 15, 2024

Katy O’Brian is a Breakout Star Who Shines in Loving and Hilariously Violent Crime Film English film director Rose Glass’...

IRS Launches Direct File Pilot of Free Filing Tool for Taxpayers in California, 11 Other States

March 14, 2024

March 14, 2024

Free, Convenient Online Tax Filing Option Now Available for Eligible Individuals The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced the official launch...

Culver City Police Crack Down on DUIs During Weekend Spree

March 13, 2024

March 13, 2024

Multiple Arrests Made Following Alcohol-Related Incidents Culver City Police reported multiple DUI arrests last weekend following incidents involving drivers suspected...

MICHELIN Guide Unveils 10 New Culinary Stars in California, Anticipating 2024 Selections

March 13, 2024

March 13, 2024

9 Los Angeles Area and Beverly Hills Restaurants Featured as New Additions The prestigious MICHELIN Guide has announced the addition...

Chef Roy Choi Brings Tacos Por Vida to LA With Soft Opening in Palms

March 13, 2024

March 13, 2024

The Lines Are Already Growing at This Newest Roy Choi Taco Stand Celebrated chef Roy Choi is celebrating the debut...