Pasadena’s Request to Delay Voting Rights Ruling is Denied

PASADENA, TX -- The request by the City of Pasadena to delay a federal court order to run the May election under the 2011 election configuration was denied this week by the judge who rendered her opinion on Jan. 6, ruling that the new scheme dilutes Latino voting power.

Earlier this month 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, stating that the voting scheme intentionally violated Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act, and was intended to discriminate against Latino voters in violation of the Equal Protection Clause of the U.S. Constitution.

Rosenthal said the city should conduct its upcoming May elections based on the eight single-member districts, throwing out the six single-member and two at-large districts.

As a result, the city is now appealing to the Fifth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals as a remedy.

The lawsuit was filed by the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund on behalf of of Latino voters who claimed Pasadena city leaders worked to dilute the growing Hispanic voter population, by changing from eight to six single-member districts and adding two at-large positions elected to city council.

While the case is winding through the court system, local residents have already begin filing applications to run for the city council.

Applications to run for the city council will be accepted until Feb. 17.

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