Santa Monica Election Litigation

Pico Neighborhood Association and Maria Loya v. City of Santa Monica in the matter of California Voting Rights. Case Number BC616804

Frequently Asked Questions

April 12, 2016

Complaint  – Plaintiffs file their original complaint challenging the City’s at-large election system. 

February 23, 2017

First Amended Complaint – Plaintiffs’ file their first amended complaint. 

March 30, 2017

Demurrer to First Amended Complaint – City argues that the First Amended Complaint fails to state facts sufficient to constitute a cause of action under either the California Voting Rights Act (CVRA) or the Equal Protection Clause of the California Constitution.

Supporting Documents filed by the City:

Declaration of George Brown

Defendant's Request for Judicial Notice - Declaration of Daniel Adler – Attaches supporting exhibits cited in the demurrer.

May 9, 2017

Opposition to Demurrer – Plaintiffs oppose the City’s demurrer.

Supporting Documents filed by Plaintiffs:  

Objection to Request for Judicial Notice

Plaintiffs' Request for Judicial Notice  – Attaches supporting exhibits cited in opposition.

May 22, 2017

City's Reply in Support of Demurrer – City filing responding to Plaintiffs’ opposition. 

Supporting Documents filed by City:  

Supplemental Request for Judicial Notice in Support of Demurrer

June 7, 2017

Order Overruling City's Demurrer to the First Amended Complaint – Court denies demurrer and orders City to file answer to FAC. 

June 27, 2017

City's Answer to the First Amended Complaint – City files its response to the allegations in the FAC and asserts affirmative defenses.

March 29, 2018

City's Motion for Summary Judgment – City contends that judgment should be issued in its favor because there are no triable issues of material fact on either Plaintiffs’ CVRA claim or their Equal Protection claim.

Supporting Documents filed by City:  

City's Separate Statement of Undisputed Material Facts

City's Request for Judicial Notice - Declaration of Daniel Adler – Attaches supporting exhibits for summary judgment motion.

Exhibit AA: Peter Morrison Declaration

Exhibit A: Elected Representative Roster

Exhibit B: Election Results

Exhibit C: Order Overruling City's Demurrer

Exhibit D: Order on Legal Issue Regarding Cumulative Voting in Soliz Case

Exhibit E: Demand Letter from Plaintiff

Exhibit F: Census Data

Exhibit G: 1948 and 1941 City Charters

Exhibit H: Exhibit 2 from Kevin Shenkman Declaration

May 31, 2018

Plaintiff's Opposition to Defendant's Motion for Summary Judgment – Plaintiffs oppose City’s motion for summary judgment, and contend that service of the motion on Plaintiffs was untimely.

Supporting Documents filed by Plaintiffs:

Plaintiff's Separate Statement in Opposition – Plaintiffs contest that facts cited by City are undisputed and assert additional facts they contend are undisputed.

Declaration of David Ely

Declaration of J. Morgan Kousser

Declaration of Justin Levitt

Declaration of Sergio Farias

Declaration of Kevin Shenkman

Proof of Service

June 7, 2018

City's Reply in Support of its Summary Judgment Motion – City responds to Plaintiffs’ opposition

Supporting Documents filed by the City:

City's Objections to Plaintiffs' Evidence – City states objections to certain evidence submitted by Plaintiffs

City's Reply in Support of Separate Statement – City responds to Plaintiffs’ contentions regarding disputed and undisputed facts

Declaration of Daniel Adler

June 14, 2018

City's Motion for Order Rejecting Plaintiffs' Untimely Service Argument – City argues that Plaintiffs’s untimely service argument should be rejected because they cannot show any prejudice from late service.

Supporting Documents filed by City:

Declaration of Daniel Adler

June 18, 2018

Plaintiffs’ Opposition to City’s Motion for Order Rejecting Plaintiffs’ Untimely Service Argument – Plaintiffs respond to City’s arguments regarding untimely service

Supporting Documents filed by Plaintiffs:

Declaration of Kevin Shenkman

June 19, 2018

Orders Denying City's Motion – Court issues two orders. One denies the City’s motion for an order rejecting Plaintiffs’ untimely service argument. The second denies the City’s motion for summary judgment based on untimely service.

July 2, 2018

City’s Writ Petition – In the Court of Appeal, City challenges the trial court’s orders denying its summary judgment motion.

July 9, 2018

Letter Response to Writ Petition – Plaintiffs respond to the City’s petition requesting that the Court of Appeal overturn the trial court’s orders denying the City’s summary judgment motion. 

July 11, 2018

Reply in Support of Writ Petition – The City replies to Plaintiffs’ response, further explaining why the Court of Appeal should overturn the trial court’s orders denying the City’s summary judgment motion. 

July 12, 2018

Order Denying Writ Petition – Court of Appeal denies City’s petition for a writ overturning the trial court’s orders denying the City’s summary judgment motion. 

July 30, 2018

City’s Trial Brief – Brief filed by City discussing legal and factual issues anticipated to arise at trial. 

August 1, 2018

City's Opening Statement – City's Opening Statement Presentation presented at trial.

September 11, 2018

Tentative Ruling on City’s Sanctions Motion – Court issues tentative order requiring plaintiffs and their counsel to pay monetary sanctions in the amount of $21,612.50 based on misuse of discovery process.  (Order made final on November 8, 2018 – see entry below.)

September 25, 2018 

Plaintiffs’ Closing Brief– Plaintiffs’ closing brief presented at the conclusion of trial.

October 15, 2018

City’s Closing Brief – City’s closing brief presented at the conclusion of trial.

October 25, 2018

Plaintiffs’ Rebuttal Closing – Plaintiffs’ rebuttal closing brief presented at the conclusion of trial.

November 8, 2018

Court’s Tentative Ruling – Tentative ruling by the court.

Minute Order re Sanctions – Court issues final order requiring plaintiffs and their counsel to pay monetary sanctions in the amount of $21,612.50 based on misuse of discovery process.

November 15, 2018

Request for Statement of Decision – Filing by the City requesting that the Court provide an explanation of the legal and factual bases for its tentative decision.

November 19, 2018

Plaintiffs’ Remedies Brief – Plaintiffs’ arguments regarding the remedies they seek to have the court impose.

                Supporting Documents filed by Plaintiffs

                                 Declaration of Justin Levitt

                                 Declaration of Kevin Shenkman

Plaintiffs’ Proposed Seven-District Map  – The district map proposed by plaintiffs, which was prepared by plaintiffs’ expert and offered by plaintiffs as an exhibit at trial.

November 26, 2018

Response to Request for Statement of Decision – Plaintiffs’ response to the City’s request that the Court provide an explanation of the legal and factual bases for its tentative decision.   

November 30, 2018

City’s Answering Brief Regarding Remedies - City's arguments regarding remedies.

November 28, 2018

Order re Statement of Decision – Order directing Plaintiffs to file and serve a proposed statement of decision on or before January 2, 2019.

December 4, 2018

Plaintiffs’ Reply Brief Regarding Remedies – Plaintiffs’ response to City’s arguments regarding remedies.

December 14, 2018

Court’s First Amended Tentative Decision – Amended tentative ruling by the court.

December 21, 2018

Request for Statement of Decision re: First Amended Tentative Decision – Filing by the City requesting that the Court provide an explanation of the legal and factual bases for its first amended tentative decision.

December 31, 2018

Ex Parte Application for Clarification – Filing by plaintiffs seeking clarification from court regarding its amended tentative ruling re remedies.

January 2, 2019

Response to Ex Parte Application – Filing by City responding to plaintiffs’ request for clarification.

January 3, 2019

Plaintiffs’ Proposed Statement of Decision – Plaintiffs’ proposed explanation of the factual and legal bases for the court’s tentative decision.

Plaintiffs’ Proposed Judgment – Plaintiffs’ proposal for the judgment to be issued by the court.

January 18, 2019

City’s Objections to Proposed Statement of Decision — City’ filing of its factual and legal objections to the statement of decision proposed by plaintiffs.
City’ Objections to Proposed Judgment — City’s filing of its factual and legal objections to the order of judgment proposed by plaintiffs.

City’s Request for Judicial Notice – City’s request for the Court to take notice of Santa Monica’s 2018 election results.

January 25, 2019

Plaintiffs file four documents in response to the City’s Objections to their proposed statement of decision and judgment:

Plaintiffs’ Response to Objections to Proposed Statement of Decision

Plaintiffs’ Response to Objections to Proposed Judgment

Plaintiffs’ Corrected Proposed Judgment

Plaintiffs’ Objections to Request for Judicial Notice

February 15, 2019

Order re Objections to Plaintiffs’ Proposed Judgment – Court denies City’s objections to Plaintiffs’ proposed judgment.

Order re Objections to Plaintiffs’ Proposed Statement of Decision – Court denies the majority of the City’s objections to Plaintiffs’ proposed statement of decision.

Statement of Decision – With minor changes, Court adopts Plaintiffs’ proposed statement of decision.

Judgment – Court adopts Plaintiffs’ corrected proposed judgment.

February 22, 2019

City’s Notice of Appeal

February 28, 2019

City’s Ex Parte Application (a) to confirm that paragraph 9 of the February 13, 2019, judgment is a mandatory injunction and thus stayed pending appeal, or (b) in the alternative, to stay pending appeal the enforcement of paragraph 9.

Declaration of Denise Anderson-Warren

Declaration of Dr. Jeffrey B. Lewis

March 6, 2019

Order Denying City’s Ex Parte Application to Confirm

March 8, 2019

City’s Petition for Writ of Supersedeas Seeking Immediate Stay

March 18, 2019

Stay Order – Order from Court of Appeal temporarily staying paragraph 9 of the February 13, 2019 judgment.   

March 21, 2019

Respondents’ Opposition to Petition for Writ of Supersedeas – Plaintiffs’ opposition to the City’s petition for a stay pending appeal.

Motion to Strike – Plaintiffs’ motion to strike portions of the City’s petition referencing the Declaration of Jeffrey Lewis.

March 23, 2019

City’s Reply in Support of Petition for Writ of Supersedeas Seeking Immediate Stay

City’s Opposition to Motion to Strike

March 27, 2019

Order Granting City’s Writ Petition – Court of Appeal order granting City’s writ petition and staying judgment pending appeal.

March 28, 2019

Plaintiffs’ Memorandum of Costs – Filing by plaintiffs setting out costs (other than attorneys’ fees) they seek to recover from the City.

April 12, 2019

City’s Motion to Strike or, in the Alternative, Tax Costs – Filing by City seeking to strike memorandum of costs due to late filing or, in the alternative, reduce allowable costs to exclude costs for which recovery is precluded by statute and unreasonable or unnecessary costs.

Supporting Declaration of Kahn Scolnick

April 29, 2019

City’s Motion for Calendar Preference – Filing by City seeking expedited briefing and argument to facilitate a November 2020 Council election.

Supporting Declaration of Kahn Scolnick

May 2, 2019

Plaintiffs’ Response to Motion for Calendar Preference

Supporting Declaration of Kevin Shenkman

May 3, 2019

City’s Reply in Support of Motion for Calendar Preference

Supporting Declaration of Kahn Scolnick

May 6, 2019

Order granting City’s Motion for Calendar Preference

June 3, 2019

Notice of Motion and Motion for an Award of Attorneys’ Fees and Expenses

Proposed Order

Supporting Declaration of Milton Grimes

Supporting Declaration of Rex Parris

Supporting Declaration of Robert Rubin

Supporting Declaration of Kevin Shenkman

Supporting Declaration of Hon. Margaret M. Grignon (ret.)

Supporting Declaration of Barrett S. Litt

June 12, 2019

Plaintiff’s Opposition to City’s Motion to Tax Costs

Supporting Declaration of Milton Grimes

Supporting Declaration of Mary Ruth Hughes

Supporting Declaration of Rex Parris

Supporting Declaration of Robert Rubin

Supporting Declaration of Kevin Shenkman

June 18, 2019

City’s Reply in Support of Motion to Strike Or, in the Alternative, to Tax Costs 

Supporting Declaration of Kahn Scolnick

October 18, 2019

City’s Opening Brief in the Court of Appeal  

December 27, 2019

Plaintiffs’ Answering Brief in the Court of Appeal

January 21, 2020

City’s Reply Brief in the Court of Appeal 

February 4, 2020

Amicus Brief – filed by California League of Cities and California Special Districts Association in support of City

Amicus Brief – filed by Santa Monica Transparency Project in support of City’s position on remedies

Amicus Brief – filed by former State Senator Richard Polanco, three Palmdale council members, and one San Juan Capistrano council member in support of Plaintiffs

Amicus Brief – filed by FairVote, a non-profit headquartered in Maryland, in support of Plaintiffs

February 10, 2020

City’s Response to Amicus Briefs – Response to amicus briefs filed by Fair Vote and current and former public officials

Plaintiffs’ Response to Amicus Briefs – Response to amicus briefs filed by California League of Cities and Santa Monica Transparency Project

May 12, 2020

City’s Letter re Oral Argument – Letter requesting that oral argument be scheduled to permit decision by July 10, 2020

June 9, 2020

Notice – Notice from court setting oral argument for June 30, 2020 at 1:00 pm (to be conducted remotely via teleconference)

City’s Request for Oral Argument – Requesting 30 minutes of oral argument

June 15, 2020

Plaintiffs’ Request for Oral Argument – Requesting 30 minutes of oral argument

July 9, 2020

Court of Appeal Opinion – The Court of Appeal issued its opinion ruling in favor of the City on both claims raised by Plaintiffs, reversing the trial court’s judgment, and ordering the trial court to enter judgment in the City’s favor.   

July 24, 2020

Petition for Rehearing – Plaintiffs filed a petition requesting rehearing by the Court of Appeal.   

August 5, 2020

Order Denying Petition for Rehearing.

August 18, 2020

Petition for Review – Plaintiffs filed a petition requesting review by the California Supreme Court.

August 31, 2020

Amicus Curiae Letter – Letter from the Dolores Huerta Foundation in support of Plaintiffs’ petition for review.

Amicus Curiae Letter – Letter from Coalition of 2000-2001 California Legislators in support of Plaintiffs’ petition for review.

September 4, 2020

Response to Petition for Review – City’s response to Plaintiffs’ request for review by the California Supreme Court.

September 8, 2020

Amicus Curiae Letter – Letter from California Secretary of State in support of Plaintiffs’ petition for review.  

September 10, 2020

Amicus Curiae Letter – Letter from FairVote in support of Plaintiffs’ petition for review.

September 11, 2020

Amicus Curiae Letter –   Letter from three California legislative caucuses (Latino Legislative Caucus, Legislative Black Caucus, and Asian Pacific Islander Legislative Caucus) in support of Plaintiffs’ petition for review.

Amicus Curiae Letter –   Letter from Asian Americans Advancing Justice—Asian Law Caucus, Asian Americans Advancing Justice—Los Angeles, the Asian Law Alliance, the Asian Pacific Environmental Network, and Khmer Girls in Action in support of Plaintiffs’ petition for review.

Amicus Curiae Letter –   Letter from the Southern Christian Leadership Conference of Southern California in support of Plaintiffs’ petition for review.

Amicus Curiae Letter –   Letter from the League of United Latin American Citizens and the Southwest Voter Registration Education Project in support of Plaintiffs’ petition for review.

September 14, 2020

Reply in Support of Petition for Review – Plaintiffs’ reply in support of their request for review by the California Supreme Court.

Amicus Curiae Letter – Letter from Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights of the San Francisco Bay Area in support of Plaintiffs’ Petition for Review.

September 15, 2020

Amicus Curiae Letter – Letter from California Latino School Boards Association and California Association of Black School educators in support of Plaintiffs’ petition for review. 

September 18, 2020

Amicus Curiae Letter – Letter from the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund and the NALEO Educational Fund in support of Plaintiffs’ petition for review.

September 22, 2020

Amicus Curiae Letter – Letter from the California League of Cities and the California Special Districts Association in support of the City’s response to Plaintiffs’ petition for review.

October 21, 2020

Amicus Curiae Letter – Letter from the Latino Caucus of California Counties in support of Plaintiffs’ petition for review.

Petition for Review Granted – The California Supreme Court granted the petition for review and ordered the parties to brief the following issue:  “What must a plaintiff prove in order to establish vote dilution under the California Voting Rights Act?”  The Supreme Court also ordered the Court of Appeal’s opinion depublished. 

December 21, 2020

Petitioners’ Opening Brief – Plaintiffs’ opening brief in the California Supreme Court.

March 22, 2021

City’s Answering Brief – City’s answering brief in the California Supreme Court.

City’s Motion for Judicial Notice – City’s motion requesting that the Supreme Court take judicial notice of the 2020 City Council election results, certain candidate statements from that election, and the transcript of the oral argument in the Court of Appeal.

April 6, 2021

Petitioners’ Opposition to City’s Motion for Judicial Notice

May 12, 2021

Petitioners’ Reply Brief – Plaintiffs’ reply brief in the California Supreme Court.

Petitioners’ Motion for Judicial Notice – Plaintiffs’ motion requesting that the Supreme Court take judicial notice of the legislative history of the CVRA. 

April 12, 2021

City’s Reply in Support of City’s Motion for Judicial Notice

May 26, 2021

City’s Response to Petitioner’s Motion for Judicial Notice

May 27, 2021

Amicus Curiae Brief – Brief from FairVote in support of Plaintiffs

Amicus Curiae Brief – Brief from John K. Haggerty, Pro Per, in support of City

June 3, 2021

Plaintiffs’ Reply in Support of Plaintiffs’ Motion for Judicial Notice

June 7, 2021

Amicus Curiae Brief – Brief from League of Women Voters of Santa Monica, the Alliance of Santa Monica Latino and Black Voters, the Human Relations Council Santa Monica Bay Area, and the Community for Excellent Public Schools in support of City

Amicus Curiae Request for Judicial Notice – Request for judicial notice of City of Irvine correspondence

June 10, 2021

Amicus Curiae Brief --  Brief from Bruce A. Wessel in support of neither party

Amicus Curiae Brief --  Brief from Amici Scholars in support of Plaintiffs

June 11, 2021

Amicus Curiae Brief – Brief from Asian Americans Advancing Justice – Asian Law Caucus, Asian Americans Advancing Justice – Los Angeles, and Asian Law Alliance in support of Plaintiffs

Amicus Curiae Brief – Brief from Oscar de la Torre in support of Plaintiffs

Amicus Curiae Brief – Brief of League of California Cities and California Special Districts Association in support of City

Amicus Curiae Brief – Brief of UCLA Voting Rights Project in support of Plaintiffs

June 16, 2021

Plaintiffs’ Response to Amicus Curiae Brief – Plaintiffs’ response to the amicus curiae brief frilled by John K. Haggerty

June 18, 2021

Opposition to Motion for Judicial Notice – Plainitiffs’ opposition to the motion for judicial notice filed by amicus curiae League of Women Voters of Santa Monica, et al.

June 24, 2021

Reply in Support of Motion for Judicial Notice – Amicus Curiae League of Women Voters of Santa Monica, et al., reply in support of motion for judicial notice

July 8, 2021

Motion to Strike Amicus Curiae Brief – Plaintiffs’ motion to strike the amicus curiae brief of League of Women Voters of Santa Monica, et al.

July 12, 2021

Amicus Curiae Brief – Brief of California Attorney General Rob Bonta in support of neither party.

July 19, 2021

Opposition to Motion to Strike – League of Women Voters of Santa Monica, et al., opposition to Plaintiffs’ motion to strike their amicus curiae brief

August 11, 2021

Response to Amicus Curiae Briefs – City’s Consolidated Answer to Amicus Briefs

Response to Amicus Curiae Brief – Plaintiffs’ Response to Amicus Brief of California Attorney General

Response to Amicus Curiae Brief – Plaintiffs’ Response to Amicus Brief of League of California Cities, et al.

Response to Amicus Curiae Brief – Plaintiffs’ Response to Amicus Brief of League of Women Voters, et al.

Response to Amicus Curiae Brief – Plaintiffs’ Response to Amicus Brief of Bruce Wessel

April 13, 2022

Amicus Curiae Brief with Application to File Late Brief – Brief of Steven Bosworth and L. Stevan Leonard

May 13, 2022

Response to Amicus Curiae Brief – Plaintiffs’ Response to Amicus Brief of Steven Bosworth and L. Stevan Leonard

November 16, 2022

Amicus curiae brief – Brief filed by Stephen Bosworth and L. Stevan Leonard

December 21, 2022

Request for Judicial Notice – RJN filed by Amici League of Women Voters of Santa Monica, Alliance of Santa Monica Latino and Black Voters, Human Relations Council Santa Monica Bay Area, and Community for Excellent Public Schools

January 5, 2023

Opposition to Request for Judicial Notice – Brief filed by Plaintiff and Respondent Pico Neighborhood Association

September 20, 2023

Opinion of the California Supreme Court

December 6, 2023

Supplemental Opening Brief after Remand – Brief filed by Appellant and Defendant City of Santa Monica

December 6, 2023

Supplemental Opening Brief after Remand – Brief filed by Plaintiff and Respondent Pico Neighborhood Association

June 25, 2024

Motion to Re-Issue JudgmentMotion filed by Pico Neighborhood Association

Supporting Declaration - Declaration of Kevin Shenkman in support of to Motion to Re-Issue filed by Pico Neighborhood Association

June 26, 2024

Ex Parte Application - Application to Advance Hearing on Motion to Re-Issue filed by Plaintiff Pico Neighborhood Association

Supporting Declaration - Declaration of Kevin Shenkman in support of Application to Advance Hearing on Motion to Re-Issue filed by Pico Neighborhood Association

June 26, 2024

Opposition- Opposition to Ex Parte Applicaiton to Advance Hearing filed by City of Santa Monica

Supporting Declaration - Declaration of Kahn A. Scolnick in Opposition to Ex Parte filed by City of Santa Monica

Motion Re Further Proceedings on Remand - Brief filed by City of Santa Monica 

Supporting DeclarationDeclaration of Kahn A. Scolnick in support of Motion re Further Proceedings filed by City of Santa Monica

         Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, Part 6, Part 7, Part 8, Part 9, Part 10

June 27, 2024

Minute Order - Filed by Court

July 10, 2024

Motion- Motion to Reissue Judgment filed by Pico Neighborhood Association

August 1, 2024

Reply- Reply in support of Motion to Reissue Judgment filed by Pico Neighborhood Association

Declaration- Supplemental Declaration of Kevin Shenkman in support of Motion to Reissue Judgment filed by Pico Neighborhood Association