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Voting Rights Project

Federal Judge Approves Redistricting Map Favoring Latino Representation in Washington State

A U.S. Federal District Judge approved Remedial Map 3B for legislative redistricting in Washington State, enhancing Latino representation. The UCLA Voting Rights Project (UCLA VRP) argued that Map 3B was preferred for its ability to consolidate Latino communities into a unified district, thereby enhancing their voting strength and ensuring their voices are heard in legislative processes.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Alberto Lammers
alammers@luskin.ucla.edu

Federal Judge Approves Redistricting Map Favoring Latino Representation in Washington State

SEATTLE (March 15, 2024) – Today, U.S. Federal District Judge Robert S. Lasnik​ approved Remedial Map 3B for legislative redistricting in Washington State, enhancing Latino representation. The UCLA Voting Rights Project (UCLA VRP) argued that Map 3B was preferred for its ability to ensure that the Latino community of interest in the Yakima Valley was respected, thereby enhancing their voting strength and ensuring their voices are heard in legislative processes.

This decision follows a lawsuit, Soto v. Hobbs, filed by UCLA VPR on behalf of Latino voters against the previous districting, which diluted Latino electoral influence. The suit was filed after it was revealed that the enacted legislative districts fractured Latino communities, particularly in the Yakima Valley, undermining the Latino community’s ability to elect representatives of their choice. This division not only contradicted the principles of fair representation but also violated Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act. During the hearings, an expert report highlighted the deficiencies in the proposed maps. It underscored the need for a remedial map to unite Latino communities without compromising the district’s compactness or affecting the political balance unfavorably.

“We are thrilled with the Judge’s decision to adopt Map 3B. This ruling is not just a victory for the Latino communities in Washington State, but it also sends hope to all underrepresented communities fighting for fair representation in the United States,” said Sonni Waknin, program manager and voting rights counsel at the UCLA VRP. “This case underscores the importance of safeguarding the rights of all citizens to participate in our democracy equitably. It serves as a powerful reminder that UCLA VRP’s fight for justice in the voting arena can yield transformative results. We are proud to have played a role in this historic achievement and remain committed to advocating for the voting rights of marginalized communities across the nation.”

The UCLA Voting Rights Project is an advocacy project housed within the UCLA Latino Policy and Politics Institute.

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ABOUT THE UCLA VOTING RIGHTS PROJECT

The UCLA Voting Rights Project is the marquee advocacy project of the UCLA Latino Policy and Politics Institute at the University of California, Los Angeles, and is focused on voting rights litigation, research, policy, and training. The UCLA Voting Rights Project addresses overlooked yet monumental gaps in the field of voting rights. The UCLA Voting Rights Project tackles questions of how to train young lawyers and researchers, support the development of new legal and methodological theories for voting rights cases, and advance policy work, to ensure that there will be a new generation of leaders who are pursuing efforts to guarantee all citizens have equal and fair access to our democracy. The project was founded by Chad W. Dunn, J.D., and Matt Barreto, Ph.D. The UCLA Voting Rights Project is located within the Luskin School of Public Affairs.

To learn more about the UCLA Voting Rights Project, please visit https://latino.ucla.edu/votingrights.