Voice of OC (https://voiceofoc.org/tag/california-voting-rights-act/)
Newly elected Anaheim City Councilman Jose F. Moreno, the first Latino on council in many years, brought the crowd to its feet during his swearing-in speech. Then he found out he’s serving a shortened term.
Historically, most California cities and school districts have elected their representatives through at-large electoral systems. This has, in many cases, led to the disenfranchisement of minority populations. But California Voting Rights Act lawsuits in O.C. and elsewhere are changing that reality.
The cities of Anaheim and Garden Grove are gearing up for arguably the most consequential election in decades, as residents will for the first time elect candidates by district following lawsuits by voting rights advocates.
The map, which was approved by the Fullerton City Council last month, violates state and federal voting rights law, according to a motion filed in Superior Court.
Council members voted unanimously Tuesday night to select a council district map supported by an “historic” coalition of community groups and Latino and Vietnamese American residents, but it has its share of vocal detractors.
With a final public hearing on the district boundaries slated for tonight, there is still strong disagreement among residents on major aspects of the various proposals.
The Fullerton City Council Tuesday heard input from residents on maps that could end up being the basis for district boundaries as the city prepares for a possible change to a council-districts electoral system.
Just about a month before Garden Grove City Council members are set to vote on the boundaries for a new electoral district system, residents Tuesday received their first look at three maps under consideration.
With the Garden Grove City Council set to approve maps for the city’s new electoral districts, some question whether leaders responsible for removing barriers to voting for underrepresented groups have done enough outreach.
Lawyer filing the suit claims the city’s political culture is infected with anti-Latino racism to a degree rarely seen in the 21st century.