BILL NUMBER: SB 1365	INTRODUCED
	BILL TEXT


INTRODUCED BY   Senator Padilla

                        FEBRUARY 21, 2014

   An act to amend Section 14027 of the Elections Code, relating to
elections.



	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   SB 1365, as introduced, Padilla. California Voting Rights Act of
2001.
   Existing law, the California Voting Rights Act of 2001 (CVRA),
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 or otherwise influence the outcome of
an election. The CVRA provides that a voter who is a member of a
protected class may bring an action in superior court to enforce the
provisions of the CVRA, and, if the voter prevails in the case, he or
she may be awarded reasonable litigation costs and attorney's fees.
   This bill would also prohibit the use of a district-based election
in a political subdivision if it would impair the ability of a
protected class, as defined, to elect candidates of its choice or
otherwise influence the outcome of an election.
   Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: no.
State-mandated local program: no.


THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

  SECTION 1.  Section 14027 of the Elections Code is amended to read:

   14027.  An at-large method of election  may  
or a district-based election shall  not be imposed or applied
in a manner that impairs the ability of a protected class to elect
candidates of its choice or its ability to influence the outcome of
an election, as a result of the dilution or the abridgment of the
rights of voters who are members of a protected class, as defined
pursuant to Section 14026.