The Journal News
A federal judge has ruled Port Chester's at-large voting districts for its Board of Trustees violate the federal Voting Rights Act.
Judge Stephen C. Robinson, in a decision signed Thursday but released this morning by the court, wrote that the system for electing the village's six trustees "prevents Hispanic voters from participating equally in the political process in the village."
The case was brought by the United States and local resident Cesar Ruiz against the village in December 2006. It led to the cancellation of the March 2007 trustee election.
Its effect on a new election scheduled for this coming March was not immediately clear.
The judge ordered all sides to present "proposed remedial plans" to the court within three weeks, and said he would set a one-day hearing on the matter after that.
Anthony Piscionere, an attorney for the village, said he will meet with the village Board of Trustees in closed-door session tonight to decide the village's next step. He said no decision needs to be made yet on whether to appeal the ruling.
Calling it an "adverse decision," Piscionere said in a statement: "Although not unexpected, we are disappointed....Port Chester has a long history of being a tolerant and richly diverse community. Regrettably, Judge Robinson has not yet addressed the important Constitutional issue of vote devaluation.".....
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Read reactions to this story:
Aidan wrote:
Expect things to get worse.
pccan473 wrote:
Where do all these illegals live? In houses owned by legal landlords who fuel the fire. This is so way outof hand and is affecting every aspect of life here in Port Chester. I understand that the Principal of Park Avenue School is suggesting a clinic be placed inthe school. Has she run this by the Board of Ed and for that matter the taxpayers and all the parents who send their children to the school. Not just the most needy?
GOARMYBEATNAVY wrote:
Yes, i think judge Robinson is dating judge Colleen McMahon. They must joke over dinner dates how they put one over on American citzens again.
atech227 wrote:
Judge Robinson should realize that many Port Chester hispanics can't vote because they are illegals. Many can't read english. This judge must be related to the one who let the 6 John Does win the case against Mamaroneck. STOP bowing down and get this country back to what is was. This is all becoming B.S.
bandparentgeek wrote:
I agree this is a huge joke. Is this judge aware that about 75% (if not more) of the hispanics in Port Chester are "illegals" and if I remember correctly.....you have to be a citizen to vote. Maybe we should change to constitution forr the them. What does this judge have to say about all the "illegal" and over crowding housing in PC not to mention the over crowded classrooms .......I could go on and on. Wanna solve the problem? Get rid of all the "illegals" and the educated citizens (including legal hispanics) wont have a problem.
theresa1 wrote:
i'd also like to know how port chester violated the voting rights? no spanish ballots listing the names of the trustees? this is ridiculous.
GOARMYBEATNAVY wrote more:
This bum robinson is just another left wing liberal judge who has sided with an unproductive Hispanic community that does nothing but whine and cry about everything like a child until they get their way. How did Port Chester violate the voting rights act? As long as you are a citizen of the U.S. and a registered voter you go to the polls and vote like everyone else. The next thing will be free transportation to the polls for Hispanics ONLY paid for by tax payers. That being said how is it that Hispanics can't participate equally in elections? What a joke!!!
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