For Immediate Release
Contact: David Cruz – 818 689-9991
April 18,
2024
davidcruz@lulac.org
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 Hispanic 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, allows 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 U.S. Supreme Court's decision
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 nationwide.
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 525 councils around 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 https://lulac.org/
--
No comments:
Post a Comment