Editorial:
For the Hispanic community the City of Escondido is considered one of the most anti-Hispanic, racist cities, in the nation. Escondido is more closely associated with their driver’s license checkpoints with immigration officials on hand, the law that penalized landlords for renting to undocumented immigrants, city council voting to evict the Charros de Escondido from their historical park grounds in favor of a ballpark, and the police and ICE officials working hand in hand, than the down home diverse city of hard working people that it is.
Despite the fact that Hispanics now make up over 50% of the population the city has only elected two Hispanic city council persons in its 123-year history. Feeling overwhelmed and underappreciated, the Hispanic community filed a lawsuit, last year, under the California Voting Rights Act calling for district elections. True to its character, the mayor, Sam Abed vowed to fight the lawsuit even if it cost the city $3 million dollars.
The California Voting Rights Act helps minority communities gain political representation if they can prove that an at-large voting system results in “racially polarized voting,” meaning the candidate preferences of minorities are diluted and defeated by white voters.
At present council members are elected at large where all voters in the city determine who gets elected. This system has worked to the benefit of the minority, white population, which has diluted the ability of Hispanics to elect candidates of their choice.
The good news coming out the City of Escondido is that they will soon have district elections, which will give Hispanic and other ethnic candidates a fighting chance to get elected.
Cooler heads have prevailed within the city and an agreement has been reached that will require geographic district elections.
The writing had been on the wall, with similar lawsuits prevailing across the state. Cities and school districts have switched to district elections instead of facing a costly court battle. The last city to fight against the inevitable was the City of Modesto which lost a $3 million legal battle.
Under the settlement, Escondido will be divided into four districts with each district to be represented by a council member living within that district. The mayor will continue to represent the entire City. The districts will be determined by a Redistricting Commission consisting of seven members. The members of the commission will be chosen by a selection panel of retired San Diego County judges.
Also, as a part of the agreement which still needs to be approved by the Court, the city will have to reimburse Plaintiff’s attorney fees and costs of $385,000, plus the City’s legal costs of approximately $200,000 in defending the case and preparing the settlement.
The change coming to Escondido can be attributed to the Hispanic community that stood up to bullies of the city, saying enough is enough –ya basta- and taking a stand. The changes that will come to the city will not only benefit the Hispanic community but will be a positive change for the community on whole and will move the city, to a city that will reflect the diversity of the area and change the perception of the city to a more inclusive city that welcomes the Hispanic community.