The time has come for the Legislature to approve the Washington Voting Rights Act.
THE nearly $1 million the City of Yakima has spent unsuccessfully to defend its election system in a federal-court case is reason enough for the Legislature to pass the Washington Voting Rights Act.
But there are other reasons — more noble reasons affecting citizens statewide.
As state Sen. Pam Roach, R-Auburn, has said, “Everyone should have the opportunity to be represented based on their proportion.”
On Monday, Roach’s Senate Government Operations and Security Committee is scheduled to continue a public hearing on ESHB 1745. Members should pass this bill and send it to the floor before a cutoff deadline on Wednesday.
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Back to the matter of money.
In 2012, the American Civil Liberties Union sued the City of Yakima, claiming its mostly at-large election system denied Latinos equal votes. Though Latinos make up more than 40 percent of the city population, no council member of Latino descent has been elected. The city fought in federal court to retain its election system, lost and was ordered last month to hold an election this year based on seven districts, with only those living in each district allowed to vote for candidates residing in that area.
Besides the $900,000 (and counting) the city has spent on the federal case, the ACLU is seeking $2.8 million in court costs.
State Rep. Luis Moscoso, D-Mountlake Terrace, a sponsor of the proposed Washington Voting Rights Act, said the bill encourages local governments to work with those bringing complaints. If an agreement cannot be reached voluntarily, the matter goes to superior court.
The bill offers a more economical solution that also avoids litigation. Plaintiffs could only collect attorney fees and court costs if a court action is filed.
Moscoso said other changes have been made in this year’s House bill to address concerns raised in previous attempts to pass a voting rights act. The timeline for when governments must hold a revised election has been changed to fit existing schedules, eliminating the need and expense of holding an “extra” election. Local governments would have 180 days to respond to a notification of a pending complaint and could not be sued again for four years after putting a remedy in place.
ESHB 1745 should sail out of committee, and the Senate’s Republican leadership should schedule it for a vote on the floor.
One of their own, state Sen. Jim Honeyford, R-Sunnyside, apologized earlier this month for making insensitive public statements about people of color. The 76-year-old said he has always encouraged “residents from diverse communities to become politically active.”
Passing the Washington Voting Rights Act is a way for lawmakers to put those words into action.