Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Yvette M. Palazuelos has ruled in favor of the Pico Neighborhood Association in a voting rights case against the City of Santa Monica, putting the future of at-large elections at stake in the City. The decision, which was handed down on November 5 and filed on November 8, was released to the public on November 13, says at-large elections in Santa Monica are in violation of the California Voting Rights Act (CRVA).

Both sides will appear in court December 7 for a post-trial hearing to decide the appropriate solution for violating the CVRA.

While the City said they plan on appealing the ruling, R. Rex Parris of Parris Law Firm, an attorney representing the plaintiffs, told the Santa Monica Mirror that he is “99 percent certain” Santa Monica will change to district-based elections. 

Read More: https://smmirror.com/2018/11/attorney-in-voting-rights-case-99-percent-certain-city-will-change-to-district-elections/