Challenge to Washington Voting Rights Act in the State’s High Court Raises Concern Among Democracy Advocates

The American Democracy Minute Radio Report & Podcast for May 10, 2023


Today’s Script:  (Variations occur with audio due to editing for time) 

Today’s Links now below the script

You’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for the people.

We have ANOTHER democracy lawsuit  to watch, this time in Washington State.  The case challenges the Washington Voting Rights Act, the state’s response to portions of the FEDERAL Voting Rights Act being struck down by the U.S. Supreme Court. 

May 11th, the Washington Supreme Court hears oral arguments in Portugal v. Franklin County.  The Brennan Center for Justice reports that many Washington counties use an at-large method of electing county commissioners, instead of voting districts.  In 2020, Latino voters sued Franklin County because its at-large system made it difficult for Hispanic candidates to get elected and represent their communities’ interests.  One-third of eligible voters in the county are Hispanic, and 54% of the population. The county settled and agreed to create voting districts.

A county resident challenged the Washington State Voting Rights Act under the U.S. Constitution’s 14th Amendment Equal Protection Clause.  He claims the minority population isn’t sufficiently concentrated to draw districts as the federal Voting Rights Act prescribes, and therefore gives unfair treatment to minorities over other county voters. 

Voting rights groups worry that should the case reach the current anti-voter U.S. Supreme Court, it could further erode protections of minority voters in states like California, Oregon, New York, and Virginia, which adopted similar state voting rights protections.

We’ll keep you updated.  We have links and groups taking action at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org.  I’m Brian Beihl.

Today’s Links

Articles & Resources:
Brennan Center for Justice – Washington Supreme Court to Hear Challenge to State Voting Rights Act
Brennan Center for Justice – Portugal v. Franklin County (Amicus Brief)

Election Law Clinic, Harvard Law – Portugal v. Franklin County
Democracy Docket – Washington Franklin County Electoral System Challenge

Groups Taking Action:
League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC)Campaign Legal Center, Brennan Center for Justice, American Civil Rights Project,


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