Seattle Times: Legislature takes up bill to remove hurdles to electing minorities

OLYMPIA — As immigrant advocates gathered in Olympia on Thursday, state lawmakers took up a bill that could give minorities a better chance at winning election to local government positions.

The legislation would make it easier to bring court challenges aimed at pushing cities, counties and school districts to switch from at-large to district elections in areas where large minority groups are present.

"Our democracy in a diverse state and a diverse nation should be representative of all communities," said Rep. Phyllis Gutiérrez Kenney, D-Seattle, prime sponsor of the House bill, HB 2612. "Equal opportunity must be there for all."

According to a 2009 study by Whitman College, Latinos held only 4 percent of elected government positions in 10 Eastern Washington counties where the Latino population totaled 33 percent. Yakima, which is 41 percent Hispanic, has never elected a Hispanic to the seven-member City Council.

Seth Dawson, a researcher for a Whitman College study, said the state's election process has not only hindered Latino elections but has discouraged Latinos from running and from voting.

Pramila Jayapal, executive director and founder of the immigrant advocacy group OneAmerica, agreed.

"Not only do people not run for office," Jayapal said in an interview, "but they're not even going to vote because they don't think it'll matter. They're discouraged."

Immigrants and immigration advocates packed the hearing room where lawmakers took testimony about the bill. Hundreds of advocates came to Olympia Thursday to meet with lawmakers and rally at the Capitol.

No one testified against the bill Thursday. It's companion bill in the Senate, SB 6381, is sponsored by Sen. Margarita Prentice, D-Renton.

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Read the entire January 26, 2012 Seattle Times article by Stephanie Kim