Case: Dolores Huerta Foundation v. Panama-Buena Vista Union School District

1:22-cv-00226 | U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California

Filed Date: Feb. 22, 2022

Closed Date: March 6, 2023

Clearinghouse coding complete

Case Summary

This case concerns the constitutionality of the electoral boundaries of a California school district, the Panama-Buena Vista Union School District. On February 22, 2022, Dolores Huerta Foundation (a non-profit) and four Latino electors in the school district filed a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California against the Panama-Buena Vista Union School District and the Panama-Buena Vista Union School District Board of Education. The plaintiffs, represented by priva…

This case concerns the constitutionality of the electoral boundaries of a California school district, the Panama-Buena Vista Union School District.

On February 22, 2022, Dolores Huerta Foundation (a non-profit) and four Latino electors in the school district filed a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California against the Panama-Buena Vista Union School District and the Panama-Buena Vista Union School District Board of Education. The plaintiffs, represented by private counsel, claimed that the districts by which the school district trustees were elected were drawn in a way that diluted Latino turnout, in violation of Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 and the California Constitution. The plaintiffs sought both injunctive and declaratory relief.

The defendants moved to dismiss the case on July 18, 2022. The court granted this motion on December 8, 2022. District Judge Anthony W. Ishii found that the electoral boundaries and electoral method of the school district at issue had been changed as part of decennial redistricting since the suit had been filed. As such the Voting Rights Act claim was moot, and the case was dismissed.

Summary Authors

Andrew Ulbrich (11/4/2024)

People

For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/63108665/parties/dolores-huerta-foundation-v-panama-buena-vista-union-school-district/


Judge(s)

Ishii, Anthony W. (California)

Attorney for Plaintiff

Rafferty, Scott (California)

Attorney for Defendant

Leoni, Marguerite Mary (California)

Skinnell, Christopher Elliott (California)

Documents in the Clearinghouse

Documents in this case
1

1:22-cv-00226

Complaint for Injunctive and Declaratory Relief

Feb. 22, 2022

Feb. 22, 2022

Complaint
8

1:22-cv-00226

Defendants' Motion to Dismiss and for Judgment on Pleadings

June 9, 2022

June 9, 2022

Pleading / Motion / Brief
19

1:22-cv-00226

Order Granting Motion to Dismiss

Dec. 8, 2022

Dec. 8, 2022

Order/Opinion

2022 WL 17542498

20

1:22-cv-00226

Judgment in a Civil Case

Dec. 8, 2022

Dec. 8, 2022

Order/Opinion
27

1:22-cv-00226

Order Denying Motion to Extend Time to File Notice of Appeal

March 6, 2023

March 6, 2023

Order/Opinion

Docket

See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/63108665/dolores-huerta-foundation-v-panama-buena-vista-union-school-district/

Last updated April 13, 2026, 4:43 a.m.

ECF Number Date Description Link
1 Feb. 22, 2022

COMPLAINT for declaratory and injunctive relief against Panama-Buena Vista Union School District by Selena Ramirez, Alexander Ramirez, Celeste Hernandez, Dolores Huerta Foundation, Inc., Lila Perez. Attorney Rafferty, Scott added. (Filing fee $ 402, receipt number ACAEDC-10087253) (Rafferty, Scott) (Entered: 02/22/2022)

Clearinghouse
2 Feb. 22, 2022

CIVIL COVER SHEET by Dolores Huerta Foundation, Inc., Celeste Hernandez, Lila Perez, Alexander Ramirez, Selena Ramirez (Rafferty, Scott) (Entered: 02/22/2022)

RECAP
3 Feb. 23, 2022

NOTICE OF TEMPORARY MAGISTRATE JUDGE REFERRAL: Due to the elevation of Judge Jennifer L. Thurston to the position of U.S. District Judge, this action is temporarily referred to *Magistrate Judge Erica P. Grosjean* until such time as a new Bakersfield magistrate judge is appointed. Documents filed in this case shall include the temporary magistrate judge initials *(EPG)* (Martin-Gill, S) (Entered: 02/23/2022)

RECAP
4 Feb. 23, 2022

SUMMONS ISSUED as to *Board of Education of Panama-Buena Vista Union School District, Panama-Buena Vista Union School District* with answer to complaint due within *21* days. Attorney *Scott Rafferty* *1913 Whitecliff Ct* *Walnut Creek, CA 94596*. (Martin-Gill, S) (Entered: 02/23/2022)

RECAP
5 Feb. 23, 2022

CIVIL NEW CASE DOCUMENTS ISSUED; Initial Scheduling Conference set for 6/28/2022 at 10:00 AM in Courtroom 10 (EPG) before Magistrate Judge Erica P. Grosjean. (Attachments: # 1 BAK Worksheet, # 2 Consent Form, # 3 VDRP) (Martin-Gill, S) (Entered: 02/23/2022)

RECAP
6 Feb. 25, 2022

SUMMONS RETURNED EXECUTED: All Defendants. (Rafferty, Scott) (Entered: 02/25/2022)

RECAP
7 March 18, 2022

ANSWER by Board of Education of Panama-Buena Vista Union School District, Panama-Buena Vista Union School District. Attorney Leoni, Marguerite Mary added.(Leoni, Marguerite) (Entered: 03/18/2022)

RECAP
8 June 9, 2022

MOTION to DISMISS, MOTION for JUDGMENT on the Pleadings ( Motion Hearing set for 7/18/2022 at 01:30 PM in Courtroom 2 (AWI) before District Judge Anthony W. Ishii.) by Board of Education of Panama-Buena Vista Union School District, Panama-Buena Vista Union School District. (Attachments: # 1 Declaration Declaration of Priscilla Quinn, # 2 Declaration Declaration of Elynor Cherie Olgin, # 3 Declaration Declaration of Grant Herndon, # 4 Notice Request for Judicial Notice)(Leoni, Marguerite) (Entered: 06/09/2022)

1 Declaration Declaration of Priscilla Quinn

View on RECAP

2 Declaration Declaration of Elynor Cherie Olgin

View on PACER

3 Declaration Declaration of Grant Herndon

View on PACER

4 Notice Request for Judicial Notice

View on PACER

Clearinghouse
9 June 14, 2022

MINUTE ORDER, signed by Magistrate Judge Erica P. Grosjean on 6/14/2022: In light of the pending Motion to Dismiss/Motion for Judgment on the Pleadings, the Court VACATES the Scheduling Conference set for 6/28/2022 before Magistrate Judge Erica P. Grosjean. Within ten days after the issuance of the ruling on the Motion to Dismiss/Motion for Judgment on the Pleadings, should the matter go forward, the parties are directed to contact Courtroom Deputy Susan Hall (shall@caed.uscourts.gov) to secure a new scheduling conference date. (Text Only Entry) (Hall, S) (Entered: 06/14/2022)

RECAP
June 14, 2022

~Util - 1 Terminate Deadlines and Hearings AND Minute Order

10 June 30, 2022

REPLY by Board of Education of Panama-Buena Vista Union School District, Panama-Buena Vista Union School District to RESPONSE to 8 Motion to Dismiss,,, Motion for Judgment,,. (Attachments: # 1 Proposed Order Granting Defendants' Motion to Dismiss and for Judgment on the Pleadings, # 2 Notice Notice of Unavailability of Counsel, # 3 Proof of Service)(Leoni, Marguerite) (Entered: 06/30/2022)

RECAP
11 July 7, 2022

OPPOSITION by Dolores Huerta Foundation, Celeste Hernandez, Lila Perez, Alexander Xavier Ramirez, Selena Maya Ramirez to 8 Motion to Dismiss,,, Motion for Judgment,,. (Rafferty, Scott) (Entered: 07/07/2022)

RECAP
12 July 8, 2022

MINUTE ORDER signed by District Judge Anthony W. Ishii on 7/8/2022: (Text Only Entry) Currently pending and set for hearing on July 18, 2022, is Defendants' motion to dismiss. On July 7, 2022, Defendant file late opposition and request to accept the late opposition. After consideration, the Court will permit the late opposition, moving the July 18, 2022 hearing date, and set a new date for Defendants to file a reply. Accordingly, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that: (1) Plaintiffs' request to accept a late opposition is GRANTED; (2) on or by July 20, 2022, Defendants shall file a reply to the July 7 opposition; (3) the July 18, 2022 hearing is VACATED; and (4) hearing on Defendants' motion to dismiss is RESET to August 1, 2022, at 1:30 p.m. in Courtroom 2 (AWI) before District Judge Anthony W. Ishii. IT IS SO ORDERED. (Apodaca, P) (Entered: 07/08/2022)

RECAP
July 8, 2022

~Util - 1 Set/Reset Deadlines and Hearings AND Minute Order

13 July 11, 2022

REQUEST for Reconsideration of 7-8-22 Order Granting Plaintiffs' Motion for Leave to File Late Opposition by Board of Education of Panama-Buena Vista Union School District, Panama-Buena Vista Union School District re 12 Minute Order,,,, Set/Reset Deadlines and Hearings,,,. (Attachments: # 1 Declaration M Leoni in support of Request for Reconsideration, # 2 Proof of Service of Request for Reconsideration, Declaration)(Leoni, Marguerite) (Entered: 07/11/2022)

RECAP
14 July 12, 2022

OPPOSITION by Dolores Huerta Foundation, Celeste Hernandez, Lila Perez, Alexander Xavier Ramirez, Selena Maya Ramirez to 13 Request,. (Attachments: # 1 Declaration Declaration of Scott J Rafferty in Opposition to Request to Reconsider Order Granting Late-filing to Opposition to Motion to Dismiss)(Rafferty, Scott) (Entered: 07/12/2022)

RECAP
15 July 12, 2022

MINUTE ORDER (Text Only Entry): On July 8, 2022, the Court granted Plaintiffs' request to accept and consider a late opposition to a motion to dismiss. See Doc. No. 12 . The Court reset the hearing date and gave Defendants a new date by which to file a reply. See id. On July 11, 2022, Defendants filed a motion for reconsideration of the Court's procedural order. See Doc. No. 13 . On July 12, 2022, Plaintiffs' counsel filed an opposition to the motion for reconsideration. See Doc. No. 14 . After review, the Court does not find that reconsideration is warranted. Accordingly, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that: (1) Defendants' motion for reconsideration (Doc. No. 13 ) is DENIED; (2) the Court's July 8, 2022 order (Doc. No. 12 ) remains in full force; and (3) no further requests or responses regarding either the Court's July 8 order or Defendants' July 11 motion will be considered or permitted. IT IS SO ORDERED. Minute Order signed by District Judge Anthony W. Ishii on 7/12/2022. (Apodaca, P) (Entered: 07/12/2022)

RECAP
July 12, 2022

Order on Request AND Minute Order

16 July 20, 2022

REPLY by Board of Education of Panama-Buena Vista Union School District, Panama-Buena Vista Union School District to RESPONSE to 8 Motion to Dismiss,,, Motion for Judgment,,. (Attachments: # 1 Supplement Supplemental Request for Judicial Notice, # 2 Proof of Service of Reply to Opposition, Supplemental RJN)(Leoni, Marguerite) (Entered: 07/20/2022)

RECAP
17 July 27, 2022

MINUTE ORDER (TEXT ENTRY ONLY) The Court has deemed the MOTION TO DISMISS and for JUDGMENT ON THE PLEADINGS, Doc. No. 8 noticed for hearing on 8/1/2022, before District Judge Anthony W. Ishii, suitable for decision WITHOUT oral argument pursuant to Local Rule 230(g). As such, the hearing on same is VACATED and the motion will be taken under submission as of that date. Minute order signed by District Judge Anthony W. Ishii on 7/27/2022. (Rivera, O) (Entered: 07/27/2022)

RECAP
July 27, 2022

~Util - 1 Terminate Deadlines and Hearings AND Minute Order

18 Oct. 6, 2022

ORDER REASSIGNING CASE by Chief Judge Kimberly J. Mueller: Due to the appointment of Magistrate Judge Christopher D. Baker to the bench of the Eastern District of California, the court hereby reassigns this case from Bakersfield Magistrate Judge (BAK) to Magistrate Judge Christopher D. Baker for all further proceedings. (Lundstrom, T) (Entered: 10/06/2022)

RECAP
19 Dec. 8, 2022

ORDER GRANTING 8 Motion to Dismiss, signed by District Judge Anthony W. Ishii on 12/07/2022. CASE CLOSED.(Maldonado, C) (Entered: 12/08/2022)

Clearinghouse
20 Dec. 8, 2022

JUDGMENT dated *12/08/2022* pursuant to order. (Maldonado, C) (Entered: 12/08/2022)

Clearinghouse
21 Jan. 9, 2023

USCA APPEAL FEES received in the amount of $ 505.00 (Receipt # ACAEDC-10632854) from Rafferty Scott on 1/9/2023. (Lundstrom, T) The appeal fee was paid, but no appeal was filed. Refunded receipt ACAEDC-10632854 Modified on 1/11/2023 (Woodson, A). (Entered: 01/10/2023)

RECAP
Jan. 10, 2023

Receipt of Appeal Fee

22 Jan. 30, 2023

MOTION for 5 days from order-DAY EXTENSION OF TIME to File Notice of Appeal re 20 Judgment by Dolores Huerta Foundation, Celeste Hernandez, Lila Perez, Alexander Xavier Ramirez, Selena Maya Ramirez. Motion Hearing set for 2/27/2023 at 01:30 PM in Courtroom 2 (AWI) before District Judge Anthony W. Ishii. (Attachments: # 1 Declaration Declaration of Scott J. Rafferty ISO Motion to Extend TIme to File Notice of Appeal, # 2 Exhibit Notice of Appeal as filed 1/9/23)(Rafferty, Scott) (Entered: 01/30/2023)

RECAP
23 Feb. 10, 2023

OPPOSITION by Board of Education of Panama-Buena Vista Union School District, Panama-Buena Vista Union School District to 22 Motion for Extension of Time,. (Attachments: # 1 Declaration of Marguerite Leoni in support of Defendants' Opposition to Plaintiff's Motion to Extend Time)(Leoni, Marguerite) (Entered: 02/10/2023)

RECAP
24 Feb. 16, 2023

REPLY by Dolores Huerta Foundation, Celeste Hernandez, Lila Perez, Alexander Xavier Ramirez, Selena Maya Ramirez re 22 Motion for Extension of Time,. (Attachments: # 1 Declaration 2nd Rafferty Declaration ISO extension of time to appeal)(Rafferty, Scott) (Entered: 02/16/2023)

RECAP
25 Feb. 22, 2023

OBJECTIONS by Defendants Board of Education of Panama-Buena Vista Union School District, Panama-Buena Vista Union School District to 24 Reply,. (Leoni, Marguerite) (Entered: 02/22/2023)

RECAP
26 Feb. 23, 2023

MINUTE ORDER: (TEXT ENTRY ONLY) The Court has deemed the MOTION for 5 days from order-DAY EXTENSION OF TIME to File Notice of Appeal re 20 Judgment, Doc. No. 22, noticed for hearing on 2/27/2023, before District Judge Anthony W. Ishii, suitable for decision WITHOUT oral argument pursuant to Local Rule 230(g). As such, the hearing on same is VACATED and the matter will be taken under submission as of that date. Minute order signed by District Judge Anthony W. Ishii on 2/27/2023. (Apodaca, P) (Entered: 02/23/2023)

RECAP
Feb. 23, 2023

~Util - 1 Terminate Deadlines and Hearings AND Minute Order

27 March 6, 2023

ORDER DENYING 22 MOTION TO EXTEND TIME TO FILE NOTICE OF APPEAL. IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that Plaintiffs' motion to extend time to file a notice of appeal (Doc. No. 22 ) is DENIED. Further, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that no party may file any additional motion in this closed case without prior leave from the Court. Order signed by District Judge Anthony W. Ishii on 3/6/2023. (Apodaca, P) (Entered: 03/06/2023)

RECAP

Case Details

State / Territory:

California

Case Type(s):

Election/Voting Rights

Special Collection(s):

Law Firm Antiracism Alliance (LFAA) project

Key Dates

Filing Date: Feb. 22, 2022

Closing Date: March 6, 2023

Case Ongoing: No

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

Dolores Huerta Foundation, a non-profit, and four Latino electors in the defendant school district

Plaintiff Type(s):

Non-profit NON-religious organization

Private Plaintiff

Public Interest Lawyer: No

Filed Pro Se: No

Class Action Sought: No

Class Action Outcome: Not sought

Defendants

School District

Panama-Buena Vista Union School District Board of Education

Defendant Type(s):

Elementary/Secondary School

Case Details

Causes of Action:

State law

Voting Rights Act, section 2, 52 U.S.C. § 10301 (previously 42 U.S.C. § 1973)

Other Dockets:

Eastern District of California 1:22-cv-00226

Available Documents:

Complaint (any)

Trial Court Docket

Outcome

Prevailing Party: Defendant

Relief Granted:

None

Source of Relief:

None

Issues

Affected National Origin/Ethnicity(s):

Hispanic

Recommended Citation