Decision expected in January on Pasco voting system lawsuit

Following a four month long process, the City of Pasco and a Pasco woman, Bertha Glatt, represented by the ACLU have turned to Senior Federal Judge Lonny R. Suko to determine which voting system will be used after the current system found to violate the Voting Rights Act.

Attorney for the Plantiff, Brendan Monahan argued in a hearing Wednesday that the 7-district system is in compliance with the Voting Rights Act but the city wants an at-large seat and he says that would continue racial polarization in the voting system. He argued even if the district Latino voter base is less or comparable to the city-wide at-large seat Latino voter base, that the district allows more opportunity for a future Latino candidate to campaign in a small area and get more votes. He referenced the case in Yakima. In that case the judge ruled in favor of a 7-district system and in the next election three Latinos were voted to the city council.

A representative for the ACLU, Doug Hoeing gave the ACLU's response to the hearing later in a phone call and explained why they favor a 7-district system.

"We think that is full and fair compliance with federal law, but what we are really looking forward to is that the significant change that is going to happen to give the Latino community in Pasco a real voice in the election," says Hoeing.

The attorney representing the City of Pasco, John Farley said that the 6 district and one at-large position was compliant with the Voting Rights Act. He said there is no other way to create a "majority minority district" and that a city-wide vote would be comparable or even provide more voice to the Latino population compared to another district.

The city released a statement after the hearing which said in part, "While the City of Pasco respects the position of the plaintiffs, the City remains confident that its recently adopted plan is compliant with the VRA.  As the public heard today during oral arguments, this is an extremely complex legal issue."

The City of Pasco also said it would like to see the current City Council members fulfill their terms, but was willing to allow all the seats to be up for election next November. That is a compromise made with the ACLU, who had preferred an emergency election once the decision was made.

Senior Federal Judge Suko says he will make a decision on the case no earlier than January.