May 13, 2013 – The Dallas Morning News reports that a federal lawsuit was filed against the Grand Prairie Independent School District (GPISD) over its at-large school board elections.
The lawsuit, filed by Bickel & Brewer (now Brewer, Attorneys & Counselors) on behalf of plaintiff Victor Rodriguez, claimed that the at-large system was designed to protect the political power of the Anglo majority and deny representation to Hispanic citizens of voting age in the district. Hispanic students made up the majority of the district's enrollment, yet all seven school board members were white men.
The lawsuit argued that the election system prevented Hispanic voters from having the ability to participate effectively in local elections.
“The voting system is inappropriate in our view,” said William A. Brewer III, lead counsel for Rodriguez, a voter in the school district. “When you talk to the demographic experts about whether you can create Hispanic opportunity districts, this is another one of these cases where change is needed in order for the Hispanic electorate to have the ability to participate."
The article further details the history of similar lawsuits filed by Brewer in nearby cities, such as Farmers Branch and Irving, which led to changes in their voting systems.
Read more here.