MALDEF A A 4 -uomm>>q_ - . . - .- _Apr1l 30, 2012 - - . . Ma M`cha CityofDenver' - - Denver CO 80202-5337 . - - .. nqauona . - . . 841'hodatno8tNW - 1:1 aumaroaamua Dear Mayor Hancock and an bers ofthe City Councilwrite on behalf of the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational qi., (MALDEF) to express our concem regarding a proposed City Council . - plan that is currently pending before the Council. MALDEF is the nation's leading Latino civil rights legal advocate. Since. our founding in 1968, MALDEF has played a leading role in local and statewide redistricting throughout the southwestern United States and California and has advocated on behalf M, of the Latino community through map-drawing, community education, and litigation. Our efforts have been bracketed by MALDEF's litigation successes challenging unfair amns redistricting plans in the federal courts, including White v. Regester 412 U.S. 755 (1973) and V. Perry 548 U. s. 399 (2006). . MALDEF's review of Map Amended reveals that despite?the substantial growth of Denver's Latino community &om 2000 to 2010, _and the fact that Latinos comprised 34% all growth _in Denver during the same period, the plan offers less opportunity for Latino voters to elect their preferred candidates in City Council elections when compared to the cmrent plan. I I Specifically, Map Amended removes Latino populationiiom District 9-which has historically elected Latino-preferred candidates to the`City Council. The result of this . Sulmw change is a significant decrease in the Latino_ citizen voting age population of District 9 -- iiom 38% to 24%. Map Amended also decreases the Latino citizen voting age . population of Districts 3 and 8. Although Map Amended increases the Latino citizen voting age population from 20% to 30% in District 7, and from 22% to 26% - District 11, we conclude that these increases will not_offset_ the loss of Latino electoral- in District April 30, 2012 Page Two Furthermore, the ideal population of a city conmcil district, according to the 2010 Census, is 54,560. In the benchmark plm, District 9 contains 51,288 persons and is only 5.9% underpopulated. Instead of the benchmark bonmdaries of Map Amended unnecessarily overpopulates District 9 by more than 1,600 people while at the same time dramatically reducing its Latino populadon. . . .. Section2oftheAct,withwhichthe City of Denver is required to comply, proscribes on racial minorities, including Latinos. Prohibited on includes vote dilution that is intentional as well as substantial reason to reduce the Latino electorate in District 9, and the availability of plans that offer more equitable electoral opportimities for Denver Latinos, ofdiscriminationagainst Latino voters. Please feel Hee to contact me with any questions regarding this letter. Sincerely, Nina Perales Vice President of Litigation cc: Council President Chris Nevitt Councilmember Susan Sheperd Councilmember Jeanne Faatz . Councilmember Paul Lopez Councilmember Peggy Lehmann . Councilmember Mary Beth Susman Councilmember Charlie 'Brown Councilm ber Albus Brooks Councilmember Judy Montero Councilmember Jeanne Robb Councilmember Christopher Herndon Councilmember Robin Kneich . Councilmember Deborah Ortega -