The City of Escondido is being drawn into the discussion of election fairness despite resistance from incumbent office holders. While school districts and some other cities are moving to district elections to ensure equal representation for minority groups, Escondido’s response has been adamant — “We will not be threatened,” said Mayor Sam Abed when asked about a lawsuit that will challenge the fairness of the current city-wide election of Mayor and Council candidates under the California Voter Rights Act.

This page attempts to gather background sources and current information to inform Escondidans about the issue. Your help is welcomed! Readers who would like to recommend links should send them to communications@escondidodems.org.

Resources

The California Voting Rights Act

Wikipedia summary of the Act and its history

California Cities Electing Members by Districts

City of Escondido response to lawsuit seeking district elections (filed January 30, 2012).

The experience of other cities

City of Tulare Prepares for Switch to District-Based Election System
News release from Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights, March 22, 2011

3 Compton residents sue city over voting rights
The complaint alleges that local elections are stacked against Latino candidates
Los Angeles Times, December 4, 2010

Tulare sued over at-large election policy
The Fresno Bee, August 27, 2010

Settlement in Latino voting case will set Modesto back $3 million
Lawsuit said council elections deprived city’s minority voters
The Modesto Bee, June 6, 2008

Editorials and Commentary about Escondido District Elections

OPINION: A compromise in the election-by-district fight
What about creating Council districts based on ZIP codes?
North County Times, January 27, 2012

OPINION: Voting by district would connect city and its voters
District elections for Council supports the founders’ intent
North County Times, January 24, 2012

OPINION: Olga Diaz doesn’t need a stacked deck
North County Times, January 12, 2012

OPINION: The reason Latinos don’t vote in Escondido
Why would they participate in a system that works against them?
North County Times, January 9, 2012

OPINION: Escondido at the center of a bullseye
Suit to force district elections is an immoral, greedy power play
North County Times, December 29, 2011

OPINION: Six reflections on Escondido’s electoral identity crisis
Logan Jenkins in The San Diego Union-Tribune, December 29, 2011

OPINION: Escondido needs a better election system
No candidate wins by majority, leaving voters feeling unrepresented
North County Times, December 26, 2011

OPINION: ”At large” voting for diversity
By district races dilute the power of a minority
North County Times, December 26, 2011

EDITORIAL: Register, then vote
Latino voter registration is a better answer than district elections
North County Times, December 23, 2011

EDITORIAL: Sorting Voters by Race
North County Times, December 22, 2011

EDITORIAL: Time to remove ethnicity from equation
North County Times, December 9, 2011

OPINION: California’s Voting Rights Act and the New Lawsuits
The high cost of opposing district elections is not worth it
California City News blog, February 28, 2011

News coverage of Escondido District Elections (most recent at top)

Speakers describe benefits of district elections
Their two cities did not see divisive results
North County Times, February 19, 2012

Escondido wants labor union removed from lawsuit
Response does not challenge main point of suit
North County Times, February 1, 2012

Escondido responds to voting rights lawsuit
The San Diego Union-Tribune, February 1, 2012

Escondido seeks dismissal of voting rights suit
Hearing set for March 16
North County Times, January 31, 2012

Escondido hires high-profile lawyer for voting rights case
Costa Mesa’s John Ramirez thinks case will take 12 to 18 months
North County Times, January 11, 2012

Fixing a city by dividing it up
The Atlantic “Cities” blog, December 28, 2011

Speakers urge Escondido council again to change voting process
The San Diego Union-Tribune, December 15, 2011

Escondido Voting Rights
KPBS Evening Edition, December 9, 2011

Editor’s Roundtable: Escondido’s Voting Rights
KPBS Radio Midday Edition, December 9, 2011

Latino residents threaten to sue over “unfair” elections
North County Times, December 8, 2011

Escondido Faces Ultimatum Over Latino Representation
KPBS Radio, December 8, 2011

City not inclined to create voting districts
North County Times, October 29, 2011

High school district trustees agree to election change
North County Times, October 19, 2011

Trustee elections to change
Escondido high school district moves toward voting by area
The San Diego Union-Tribune, October 19, 2011