García: East Side — Do the right thing for fair election reform - San José Spotlight

García: East Side — Do the right thing for fair election reform - San José Spotlight

The California Voting Rights Act of 2001 specifically “prohibits the use of an at-large election in a political subdivision if it would impair the ability of a protected class, as defined, to elect candidates of its choice.” Protected class is defined in the act as voters who are members of a race, color or language minority group. In other words, the law focuses on fair representation for all communities in local elections. Earlier this spring,…