The League of United Latin American Citizens on Thursday lauded
the federal government’s lawsuit against San Benito County for
violating minority voting laws and vowed to keep a close watch on
how the Elections Office alleviates drawbacks for Spanish-speaking
voters.
The League of United Latin American Citizens on Thursday lauded the federal government’s lawsuit against San Benito County for violating minority voting laws and vowed to keep a close watch on how the Elections Office alleviates drawbacks for Spanish-speaking voters.
LULAC held the celebratory press conference outside the county courthouse a day after the U.S. Department of Justice sued the county for a lack of support for Spanish-speaking voters. County leaders agreed in a separate decree to follow the directives outlined in the suit, such as providing bilingual ballots and posting signs at polling places in Spanish.
State president of LULAC and Hollister resident Mickie Luna said the organization will ensure the Elections Office makes good on the promise by the November election.
Some other conditions in the suit include hiring of a bilingual voting coordinator and employing of at least 44 Spanish-speaking poll workers.
“Rest assured, LULAC will be there,” Luna said. “We will make a difference in this community.”
The DOJ sued the county after LULAC complained about local voting practices. Members say they have documented violations dating back to 1990. A handful of federal inspectors observed the local polls on Election Day in March.
Hodges on Thursday afternoon said he was disappointed LULAC didn’t invite him to the press conference. But, as long as he gets the necessary funding support, Hodges doesn’t expect problems implementing the changes.
“I’ll have everything in English and Spanish come November,” Hodges said. “I welcome all the help I can get.”
Many LULAC members attended the press conference outside the courthouse Thursday. LULAC Press Secretary Carlos Ramos talked about the history of the organization’s fight for equality, which goes back to the 1940s and includes several landmark U.S. Supreme Court rulings.
“LULAC this year is celebrating 75 years of advocating and fighting and promoting social justice,” Ramos said.
LULAC member Cesar Flores was the plaintiff in the first court action LULAC brought against the county in the early 1980s. That suit was successful in showing the county’s five districts were drawn in a way that left Latinos with little voting power. The result was a realignment of districts.
Of the most recent court action, he said, “Ignorance of the law is no excuse, and we’re here to prove that.”
And local president Dan Reyes mentioned lingering election issues LULAC has been involved with – namely, the District 5 county supervisor’s race. LULAC spurred the investigation of alleged elections violations by Supervisor-elect Jaime De La Cruz and his campaign adviser.
“We would just like to see that resolved as fast as possible,” said Reyes, who will be succeeded by Ruben Lopez on June 5.
