Pasadena Election Oversight: A Voting Rights Act Case Study #243

Pasadena, Texas will remain under federal oversight regarding its voting laws until 2023 following a settlement in a voting rights lawsuit. The lawsuit arose after the city redrew its council districts in 2013, a move that was found to intentionally discriminate against Hispanic voters. A federal judge determined that the redistricting diluted the voting power of the growing Hispanic population and ordered the city back under federal supervision. This ruling marked the first of its kind since a 2013 Supreme Court decision that altered key components of the Voting Rights Act. By settling, Pasadena avoided a potentially lengthy and costly legal battle, as well as continued negative attention. The city’s decision highlights the ongoing debate over voting rights and protections for minority voters in Texas.