The City of Santa Monica likely faces an uphill battle if the Council votes on Thursday to appeal last week's Superior Court decision in the voting rights case filed by Latino plaintiffs, election experts told the Lookout.

In her final ruling last Wednesday, Superior Court Judge Yvette M. Palazuelos ordered the City to hold a district-based election by July 2 for all seven council seats.

She also prohibited council members not elected under districts from serving after August 15 ("Judge Orders Special District Elections for Council in Final Ruling," February 15, 2019).

The experts interviewed by the Lookout, including one who provided information on background, agree that the City's odds of winning on appeal are not favorable.

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