Clock is Ticking on Pasadena’s Appeal of Federal Court Ruling on Redistricting

PASADENA, TX -- A federal appeals court judge has agreed to hear arguments on Feb. 1 in the in the city’s lawsuit that overturned voting districts that a judge said diluted Latino voting power.

The Fifth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals will consider whether to temporarily halt the order from the Houston judge, which would enable the system of six single member districts, and two at large seats put in place in 2014 to remain.

If a judge issues a ruling in the city’s favor, it will impact city council elections that will be held in May, and reverse a decision earlier this month ordering the city to use the 2011 eight member single district model for the coming elections.

On Jan. 6, U.S. District Court Judge Lee H. Rosenthal issued a 113 -page ruling in the voting rights case filed against the city by the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund, which claimed the realignment of voting districts in Pasadena in 2014 violated the Voting Rights Act, and was discriminatory toward Hispanics referring to the process as racially polarizing.

“The effect was to dilute Latino voting strength. That effect was foreseeable and foreseen,” Rosenthal wrote in her decision.

The Fifth U.S. Circuit Court has been asked by the city to reconsider Rosenthal's opinion.

Meanwhile, candidates began filing their intent to run for these positions on Jan. 18, with 12 potential candidates submitting paperwork indicating their desire to run for council seats.

The filing deadline for the election is Feb. 17.

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