Election Is Option in Rights Lawsuit

Negotiations to settle a voting-rights lawsuit brought against Santa Paula include a proposal to hold an election to decide whether the city should be divided into council districts, according to a city official and sources familiar with the case.

While refusing to comment on closed-door negotiations, Councilwoman Laura Flores Espinosa confirmed reports that a citywide referendum has been one of many issues discussed during settlement talks between attorneys for the city and the U.S. Department of Justice.

The federal department sued Santa Paula last year, alleging that its at-large voting system has perpetuated racial discrimination by preventing Latino candidates from being elected to the City Council.

The civil lawsuit seeks to force the city to adopt a new system in which Santa Paula would be divided into five voting districts, ensuring that Latinos would have a greater voice in local politics.

The City Council has yet to consider any settlement offers. It is not known how seriously the referendum idea was discussed or whether an offer would call for an election to decide the issue.

Espinosa said she would be unwilling to support any settlement that calls for holding an election to fix a flawed electoral system.

“I would be opposed to a referendum being placed before voters because of the past history of polarized voting in Santa Paula, which is substantiated by experts’ reports,” Espinosa said. “I’m very concerned about the further divisions in our community that a referendum would cause.”

A Justice Department spokesman refused to comment on the civil lawsuit.

Other council members confirmed that settlement negotiations among lawyers were ongoing but emphasized that no offers have been put on the table.

“We haven’t signed anything; we haven’t even seen anything in writing,” Councilman Rick Cook said. “I have heard so many different things, I’m just waiting for the attorneys to sort it all out.”

Councilman Ray Luna said there is mounting sentiment in Santa Paula to find a way to settle the matter. The city spent nearly $500,000 through June to fight the lawsuit and has budgeted an additional $800,000 this fiscal year.

“I don’t want our city going broke,” said Luna, who does not favor voter districts. “I’m optimistic that there can soon be some closure on this issue.”

But some Latino advocates worry about the definition of closure.

David Rodriguez, district director for the local chapter of the League of United Latin American Citizens, said a Justice Department attorney told him a citywide referendum was among the options being discussed.

League officials in Washington have sent a letter to Atty. Gen. John Ashcroft outlining the group’s concerns about that proposal.

Rodriguez said the league is opposed to having such an election until city officials draw potential district boundaries and voters can be adequately informed. He said that process could take years.