HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015-014 - Update Section 4 of the Voting Rights ActJxs04 /01/15
RESOLUTION NO.2015 -014
RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
SANTA ANA CALLING ON CONGRESS TO UPDATE
SECTION 4 OF THE VOTING RIGHTS ACT
WHEREAS, the Voting Rights Act was signed into law by Congress and
President Lyndon B. Johnson in 1965, effectively banning racial discrimination in voting
practices by the federal government as well as state and local governments; and
WHEREAS, the Voting Rights Act was a groundbreaking civil rights legislation
which ensured that millions of Americans would be given equal access to the ballot,
thus guaranteeing that millions of minority voters would have their voices heard and
votes counted; and
WHEREAS, on June 251h, 2013, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in Shelby County
vs. Holder, that Section 4 (b) of the Voting Rights Act, the formula used to determine
"covered jurisdictions" that must submit any changes in voting procedure to federal
authorities for pre - clearance, is unconstitutional; and
WHEREAS, the "covered jurisdictions" consisting of Alabama, Alaska, Arizona,
Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, and Virginia will be free to
change their voting laws without federal pre - clearance; and
WHEREAS, by striking down Section 4 (b) of the Voting Rights Act, there is no
longer a mechanism in place to prevent states with a history of voter
disenfranchisement based on race or ethnicity from enacting discriminatory laws; and
WHEREAS, by striking down Section 4 (b) of the Voting Rights Act, there is no
longer a mechanism in place to prevent states from passing discriminatory laws that will
unfairly target racial and ethnic minority voters; and
WHEREAS, these discriminatory practices are carried out in various forms,
including, but not limited to, proof of citizenship for voter registration, restrictive voter ID
requirements, voter purges, and discriminatory redistricting; and
WHEREAS, until Congress acts to create a new formula, no jurisdictions are
required to obtain pre - clearance from the federal government for any changes to
election laws or procedures, thereby allowing the voting rights of millions of Americans
to be put at risk; and
Resolution No. 2015 -014
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WHEREAS, the City of Santa Ana is home to a diverse community and is
against all forms of discrimination in voter laws:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of
Santa Ana urges Congress to restore the Voting Rights Act, specifically, the pre-
clearance requirements for those jurisdictions that have a history of enacting
discriminatory laws.
ADOPTED this 7th day of April, 201
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
Sonia R. Carvalho, City Attorney
By:
Jo andoval
Chi City Attorney
AYES: Councilmembers: Amezcua, Benavides, Martinez, Pulido, Revna,
Sarmiento, Tinaiero (7)
NOES: Councilmembers: None (0)
ABSTAIN: Councilmembers: None (0)
NOT PRESENT: Councilmembers:
Resolution No. 2015 -014
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CERTIFICATION OF ATTESTATION AND ORIGINALITY
I, MARIA D. HUIZAR, Clerk of Council, do hereby attest to and certify the attached
Resolution No. 2015 -014 to be an original resolution adopted by the City Council of the
City of Santa Ana on April 7, 2015.
Date: Y -2LE,S._ `�./ '--) - JUG
Clerk of Council
City of Santa Ana
Resolution No. 2015 -014
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