The League of United Latin American Citizens is suing the Edwards Aquifer Authority claiming the way it elects board members “illegally dilute[s] the voting rights of minority voters.”
The lawsuit filed this week claims the organization responsible for managing the underground water reservoir uses an electoral system that disproportionately favors Anglo voters over minorities.
The agency’s 15 board members are selected through single-member districts from counties served by the authority.
EAA's interim general manager Roland Ruiz defended the the process.
"The election method of the EAA was established by the Texas legislature in 1995 and was designed to accommodate irrigation, environmental, and urban interests in a balanced manner,” Ruiz said.
"This election method has been subsequently pre-cleared by the U.S. Department of Justice in every election held since then.”
— Brian Collister, WOAI Investigative Reporter. Find him online at woai.com. Email tips to briancollister@woaitv.com.
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