LULAC CELEBRATES FEDERAL COURT DECISION CLEARING THE WAY FOR CALIFORNIA REDISTRICTING
The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) commended a decision by a three-judge federal panel that cleared the way for Proposition 50 to go into effect for the 2026 elections.
WASHINGTON D.C. - The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) commended a decision by a three-judge federal panel that cleared the way for Proposition 50 to go into effect for the 2026 elections. The decision comes amid a wave of redistricting litigation nationwide and follows recent Supreme Court rulings that have allowed states broad latitude to redraw maps based on partisan considerations.
LULAC intervened in the case late last year and presented factual and expert testimony at a three-day hearing in defense of the redistricting legislation last month. The organization is the largest and oldest Latino civil rights organization in the country, with over 575,000 members nationwide and more than 40,000 members in California.
“This decision is a victory for California and its voters who overwhelmingly supported the redistricting plan,” said Roman Palomares, LULAC National President and Chairman. “It is also an important moment for the Latino community, which was being made a scapegoat to advance a political agenda. We are so grateful to our partners at Democracy Defenders Action for their work securing this important ruling.”
In rejecting the request for an injunction, the court declined to accept claims that the new maps were racially gerrymandered, signaling that the challengers failed to meet the high constitutional bar required to block duly enacted redistricting plans. Instead, the court looked at the intent of California voters, finding that voter “intent is paramount” and that “there is voluminous and overwhelming evidence in the record indicating that the voters intended the Proposition 50 Map to be a partisan gerrymander.” As a result of today’s ruling, California will proceed with implementing the Proposition 50 maps for the 2026 election cycle, including candidate filing and ballot preparation under the new district lines.
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About League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC)
The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) is the nation's oldest and largest Latino civil rights organization. Founded in 1929, LULAC is committed to advancing the rights and opportunities of Latino Americans through advocacy, community building, and education. With a growing network of councils nationwide, LULAC remains steadfast in its mission to protect and empower millions of Latinos, contributing daily to America's prosperity. For more information about LULAC and its initiatives, please visit https://lulac.org/.