LULAC CLAIMS VICTORY AS U.S. SUPREME COURT
DECLINES TO HEAR CASE TO REVERSE WASHINGTON STATE VOTING RIGHTS
PROTECTIONS
Nation's Oldest and Largest Latino Civil
Rights Organization Says SCOTUS Decision Secures the Path for More
Political Clout of Our Communities in the Northwest
WASHINGTON, D.C. —
This moment marks a monumental triumph for the Latinos in Washington
State as the U.S. Supreme Court chose not to entertain a legal
challenge to roll back crucial voting rights protections. The League of
United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) hails this decision as a pivotal
affirmation in the ongoing fight for equitable representation and
political empowerment.
The Washington
Voting Rights Act (WVRA), enacted in 2018, stands as a beacon of
progress, echoing the spirit of the federal Voting Rights Act of 1965.
This state-level legislation is designed to safeguard the rights of
minority voters, ensuring they have a fair chance to elect candidates
who truly represent their interests and shield them from discriminatory
practices in the electoral process.
"LULAC
congratulates Latino leaders in Washington State who have successfully
fought and won the fight for representation," says Domingo Garcia,
LULAC national president. "For generations, our gente have
migrated to the Northwest to pick the crops, build the communities, and
set roots in Washington State. Now, their voices and those of
generations to come will be heard, and their votes counted to decide
their own futures," adds Garcia.
The recent
decision by the U.S. Supreme Court upholds the rulings of the
Washington Supreme Court, which affirmed the constitutionality of the
WVRA in June 2023. This legal victory reinforces the settlement
agreement reached between Latino voters and Franklin County in May
2022, marking a significant step towards fair electoral practices.
"Washington
State LULAC is elated that the Supreme Court sees the wisdom and
justice of our pleadings that gave our community this historic
win," said Gabriel Portugal, Washington State Director. "This
battle took years to wage, and those who came forward as plaintiffs
were often targets of criticism for claiming their lawful rights. Now,
the rest is up to all of us to use these protections to organize,
mobilize, and get our voters to the polls in 2024," adds Portugal.
The settlement
agreement, which shifts general elections for the three-member county
commission from an at-large system to single-member districts, opens
the door for Latino voters—who constitute over 50% of Franklin County's
total population—to elect representatives who genuinely reflect their
interests.
Garcia
vows that LULAC will continue its vigilant advocacy. "This is the
work and history of LULAC; to fight in the courtrooms and the halls of
power all the way to the Supreme Court. We will never stop, and we will
never quit until Latinos enjoy the full civil rights guaranteed by our
Constitution. ¡Hasta la Victoria!"
The decision by
the U.S. Supreme Court not to intervene in the legal challenge against
the WVRA reinforces the principle that all citizens, regardless of race
or ethnicity, deserve equal access to the ballot box. LULAC remains
steadfast in its commitment to advancing the rights and interests of
Latino communities across the nation.
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About
LULAC
The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) is the nation’s
largest and oldest Hispanic civil rights volunteer-based organization
that empowers Hispanic Americans and builds strong Latino communities.
Headquartered in Washington, DC, with 535 Councils and 145,000 members
across the United States and Puerto Rico, LULAC’s programs, services,
and advocacy address the most important issues for Latinos, meeting the
critical needs of today and the future. For more information, visit www.LULAC.org.
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