MADERA -- The Lawyers' Committee filed a lawsuit today on behalf of Latino voters against the Madera Unified School District (MUSD), charging that the school district's at-large method of election is racially polarized and violates the California Voting Rights Act of 2001 (CVRA). The suit challenges the school district's discriminatory voting system and seeks to protect the Latino community against vote dilution.

Latinos constitute approximately 44% of MUSD's voting eligible population. Yet, only one of the current school board members is Latino. And over the past 25 years, no more than one Latino has ever occupied a seat on the board. This is a result of MUSD's at- large voting system, which along with a racially polarized electorate, has repeatedly resulted in a school board with little or no Latino representatives despite the significant Latino population in MUSD. The at-large method of election prevents Latino residents from electing candidates of their choice or influencing the outcome of school board elections.

The Lawyers' Committee recently sent letters to 25 school districts encouraging them to voluntarily end their practice of at-large elections or risk litigation. Approximately 90% of the school boards in the state are elected at-large.

Robert Rubin, Legal Director of the Lawyers' Committee and co-lead counsel, said: "We have put on notice city councils, school boards and other bodies throughout the state that conduct at-large elections that we will sue them if their voting is characterized by racially polarized voting. Voting is perhaps our most cherished liberty and any attempt to dilute that vote will be challenged."

Photos, Video, Story