SB 1365 Summary

• Creates Article 3 of the California Voting Rights Act to address vote dilution in district-based elections, mirroring existing protections against at-large elections.

• Prohibits district-based elections that impair a protected class's ability to elect candidates of their choice or influence election outcomes through dilution of voting rights.

• Establishes that violations are proven through demonstrating racially polarized voting, without requiring proof of discriminatory intent, and allows consideration of historical discrimination and other socioeconomic factors.

• Requires courts to remedy violations by implementing single-member district systems giving protected classes opportunity to elect preferred candidates, or in coalitions with other protected classes, with alternative remedies if legally infeasible.

• Allows protected class members to sue in superior court and awards prevailing plaintiffs reasonable attorney's fees and litigation expenses under the Serrano v. Priest standard.