Proponents of the map change contended that the Patten Map was discriminatory and illegal. However, Supervisor Arnold cautioned both her colleagues and attendees that the court did not find the Patten map to be either of those things, according to a report by CalCoast News.
In December 2021, after a lengthy and contentious process, the San Luis Obispo County Board of Supervisors voted 3-2 to adopt the Patten Map, with Supervisors Bruce Gibson and Dawn Ortiz-Legg dissenting. The issue was a partisan one, with local Democrats seeking minimal changes while Republicans preferred cities and communities to remain intact. In 2021, several supporters of Democratic candidates threatened to file a lawsuit if the board majority chose the Patten Map.
In January 2022, SLO County Citizens for Good Government and three SLO County residents filed a lawsuit challenging the newly-adopted map, claiming that it discriminated against Latino voters, fragmented communities of interest, and harmed Democratic voters. However, in February 2022, Superior Court Judge Rita Federman rejected most of the plaintiffs’ claims, including those regarding the reduction of Latino voters and the division of cities.
Despite this, last month the new board majority voted to discard the existing map, examine three maps supported by the petitioners, and pay them $300,000 in legal fees, as per the settlement agreement. However, before Tuesday's vote, election law attorneys Stewart Jenkins and Charles Bell warned the county in writing that the board majority's plan violated the 2019 Fair Maps Act. Consequently, it is anticipated that the adoption of the new map will lead to further legal challenges.
In December 2021, after a lengthy and contentious process, the San Luis Obispo County Board of Supervisors voted 3-2 to adopt the Patten Map, with Supervisors Bruce Gibson and Dawn Ortiz-Legg dissenting. The issue was a partisan one, with local Democrats seeking minimal changes while Republicans preferred cities and communities to remain intact. In 2021, several supporters of Democratic candidates threatened to file a lawsuit if the board majority chose the Patten Map.
In January 2022, SLO County Citizens for Good Government and three SLO County residents filed a lawsuit challenging the newly-adopted map, claiming that it discriminated against Latino voters, fragmented communities of interest, and harmed Democratic voters. However, in February 2022, Superior Court Judge Rita Federman rejected most of the plaintiffs’ claims, including those regarding the reduction of Latino voters and the division of cities.
Despite this, last month the new board majority voted to discard the existing map, examine three maps supported by the petitioners, and pay them $300,000 in legal fees, as per the settlement agreement. However, before Tuesday's vote, election law attorneys Stewart Jenkins and Charles Bell warned the county in writing that the board majority's plan violated the 2019 Fair Maps Act. Consequently, it is anticipated that the adoption of the new map will lead to further legal challenges.
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