The City of Irving comes out on top in a court case that challenged the city’s single-member district plan. Late last week, U.S. Judge Jorge A. Solis ruled that Irving’s electoral plan for single-member districts is in alignment with the 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.
In the Lepak vs. City of Irving case, a group of Irving residents challenged the city’s new single-member plan on the basis of a violation of “one person, one vote.” The plaintiffs claimed that District 1 had half as many voters as the other districts, which made those votes more effective in choosing a council member. Judge Solis held that the plaintiff’s claim was without merit and that the division of council districts on the basis of population, not voters, was proper under the U.S. constitution.
With the ruling, the city can use Census data coming this month to adjust the districts for next year’s election, if necessary. According to the city attorney, the outcome of the case would not have had a legal effect on the pending 2011 Council elections. This year, Irving residents who are registered voters will cast their votes for the mayor and City Council Places 3 and 5.
