Readers React: How unfair was Whittier’s at-large voting system?

To the editor: The editorial states that until recently, Whittier voters elected at-large City Council members rather than ones representing individual districts, and that this arrangement resulted in the Latino population being underrepresented. (“Whittier’s voting system shift is better for Latinos, but not ideal,” Editorial, Oct. 20)

While it makes sense that a district scheme is likely to result in more equitable City Council representation, I question the notion that the Latino population of Whittier has been “victimized” by the at-large system.

If “roughly half of the city’s registered voters” are Latino, then by definition Latinos have more voting power than any other ethnic group, since the remaining half of the voters are split between white, black and Asian voters. If, under these circumstances, Latinos are still underrepresented, I suggest that they are not running viable candidates or are not voting in sufficient numbers.

With half the registered voters, Latinos are in the best position to get the representation they desire regardless of the city’s voting system.

Arnie Richards, Downey

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