Pico Neighborhood Association v. City of Santa Monica

Summary

The court held that a California Voting Rights Act dilution claim requires proof that a lawful alternative electoral system would provide a protected class a greater potential to elect its preferred candidates or influence an election than the existing at-large system. The protected class need not constitute a majority or near-majority of a hypothetical district; courts must conduct a fact-intensive, locality-specific evaluation of the electoral systems and their likely effects. The court reversed the Court of Appeal and remanded for application of that standard and resolution of the remaining issues, including racially polarized voting. There were no separate opinions.