The city of Tucson is being sued over the way it elects its city council members. The plaintiffs in the case say the current system violates the 14th amendment, diluting their voting power.
When Tucson voters elect their city council members later this year, it will be a two-step process. First they nominate their candidate in a ward-only primary. The winner of that contest goes on to the city-wide general election where any registered voter can cast a ballot for council, regardless of the ward in which they live. Tucson has used this system since 1929.
Because Democrats have historically held the edge city-wide, the six council seats have often been filled by Democrats, even in mostly Republican wards. Republican National Committeeman Bruce Ash is one of the plaintiffs.
“I want an opportunity to be represented and the same thing for independents who are underrepresented in Ward Two and Ward Four, and the democrats, frankly are interested in maintaining the status quo," said Ash.
Ash and his fellow plaintiffs want the court to change the current system. Previous efforts to change the electoral process in Tucson have been denied by the courts and voters.
