Citizens for Fair Representation et al v. Secretary of State Alex Padilla ~ what’s it all about?

In California a group of people have filed a complaint to challenge the Secretary of State regarding their representation by senators and assemblymen women in the state senate and legislature.  Currently there are 80 representatives in the assembly and 40 in the senate – a number that has remained stagnant even though the population has grown exponentially.  These citizens believe that there is “vote dilution”, meaning that the value of each citizens vote has been reduced in value over a period of time, particularly in the less populous rural areas.   This poses an interesting question as to whether or not those who are elected to represent the people in the assembly and senate are even capable of properly representing all their constituents when they each represent approximately 500,000 in the assembly, and almost 1,000,000 constituents each in the senate.   How did we get here?

To understand that you have to take a look back at history – to a time before California was a state – and read about the events that lead to statehood and the formation of the California constitution.  To be sure the history is a lurid one that includes mass killing and exile of people who we now call “minorities”.

This page offers information, videos and links that help you to understand the origins of today’s voter disenfranchisement in California.  We will continue to update this page with new material as it is discovered.  Also, be sure to follow the court case and events of this brave group of people who are fighting for equal voting rights.  Links are provided below. Also, If you would like to be part of our mailing list to update you on the progress of this case, simply send and email to Pam@stafnelaw.com and put CFR CASE in the subject line and we will add you to our mailing list.

Citizens for Fair RepresentationFacebook page
                                                          Web page

To view the court documents filed in this case CLICK HERE


INFORMATION – VIDEOS – LINKS

Originally AIRED MAY 29, 2018

THE CHINESE EXCLUSION ACT

A SPECIAL PRESENTATION OF AMERICAN EXPERIENCE

Film Description
Examine the origin, history and impact of the 1882 law that made it illegal for Chinese workers to come to America and for Chinese nationals already here ever to become U.S. citizens. The first in a long line of acts
targeting the Chinese for exclusion, it remained in force for more than 60 years.  VIEW HERE

CLICK HERE to learn more about The Chinese Exclusion Act from CAAM – Center for Asian American Media