David Moon is Program Director at FairVote.

On March 2, FairVote and California Common Cause filed an amicus brief to defend the California Voting Rights Act and argue that proportional voting systems are sensible remedies in such cases.

Adopted in 2001, the California Voting Rights Act showcases how states can protect voting rights even when Congress may weaken the federal Voting Rights Act. Among other provisions, the Act allows plaintiffs to challenge winner-take-all, at-large election systems when racially polarized voting exists. The Lawyers Commitee for Civil Rights filed
such a challenge in Sanchez v. City of Modesto, but a judge struck down the Act.

FairVote and Common Cause argue that remedies like proportional voting systems can address the impact of winner-take-all, at-large voting methods. Beyond this case, FairVote urges other states to consider state Voting Rights Acts and, for those challenging winner-take-all at-large systems, to look to proportional systems as a sensible remedy.

[ Application for leave to file amicus ]
[ Brief of Amici Curiae ]
[ FairVote support for reauthorizing federal Voting Rights Act ]
[ Talking points on state Voting Rights Acts ]
[ What is proportional voting? ]

Other posts by David

• Obama and McCain Seek Modern-Day Lincoln-Douglas Debates: But Where? - May 14th, 2008
• Voting Rights & Feist in the City of Brotherly Love - April 29th, 2008
• Media Inaccuracy: Democratic Chances Hampered by Gerrymandering - November 7th, 2006
• The Real November Election Showdown: Howard Dean's 50-State Strategy vs. Rahm Emmanuel's Traditional Approach - November 7th, 2006
• Urban Political Legend: Karl Rove & the GOP's Famed 72-Hour GOTV Operation - November 7th, 2006
• Communist election? What communist election? - July 28th, 2006
• Davis, CA City Council to Vote on Choice Voting - July 11th, 2006
• LULAC v. Perry - A Clear Explanation of the Supreme Court's Decision on Texas Redistricting - June 29th, 2006
• Spotlight on Reform: West Virginia Charter Review Commissions - April 27th, 2006
• FairVote and CA Common Cause file amicus in favor of state-based VRA - March 6th, 2006