A State Appeals Court on Thursday ruled that Santa Monica's at-large election system does not violate the California Voting Rights Act (CVRA), a decision the Latino plaintiffs plan to appeal.

The ruling by the the 2nd District Court of Appeal overturns a trial court decision that found Santa Monica's system discriminates against Latinos and ordered the City to hold district elections.

In its ruling Thursday, the three judge panel wrote that it declined the plaintiffs' "invitation to take the unprecedented and unwise path it urges."

"In sum, the City did not act with a racially discriminatory purpose in 1946 or in 1992," the Court wrote referring to the City's decisions to reject district elections.

Read More: https://www.surfsantamonica.com/ssm_site/the_lookout/news/News-2020/July-2020/07_09_2020_Santa_Monicas_Election_System_Does_Not_Violate_Latinos_Voting_%20Rights.html

AND: https://www.smobserved.com/story/2020/07/10/news/appeals-court-rules-santa-monica-can-keep-city-wide-elections-in-voting-rights-act-case/4756.html

AND: https://www.smdp.com/city-wins-cvra-appeal/194038