Judge Dismisses Lawsuit Involving Latino Voting

A judge has dismissed a federal voting-rights lawsuit against Santa Paula, closing a contentious three-year battle over Latinos’ electoral clout in the small farm town.

The government’s lawsuit alleged that the city’s at-large voting system violated the Voting Rights Act of 1965 and perpetuated racial discrimination by preventing Latino candidates from being elected to the City Council.

A dismissal was expected after the government and the Santa Paula City Council agreed in August to settle the lawsuit by allowing voters in this mostly Latino city to decide in November 2002 whether to keep at-large elections or to switch to a district system.

When the suit was filed, the Latino voting population in the city was estimated at 45%. City officials now estimate Latinos make up 52% of the city’s registered voters.