Officials balk at voting districts

Asians tend to live in the Foothills, while Latinos reside in Southwest Glendale, according to the schools’ study. But Mitchell said there weren’t enough Asians to create an Asian-majority district. Districts should be equal in size, he said. Armenians have higher concentrations in South Glendale, but are spread throughout the city.

“The bottom line is that districting will reduce choice for voters,” said Mayor Laura Friedman.

Councilman Rafi Manoukian, who lives in the Chevy Chase neighborhood nestled between the San Rafael Hills and Scholl Canyon in North Glendale, swept the city’s southern voting precincts in last year’s election. Anglo candidates, including former Councilman John Drayman and Councilman Dave Weaver, took home most of the northern precincts.

Officials also point to how diverse the City Council dais is now, compared to years past, when all-white, all-male City Councils were the norm. The City Council currently consists of two Armenians, one Latino, one white woman and one white male.

“The majority of Glendale is pretty well represented on council,” Manoukian said.

But Mitchell said evidence of past diverse elections can’t be a rationale for not having districts if racially polarized voting exists.

“If you look at the history of civil rights cases, that argument has been used a lot and, generally, it’s been unsuccessful,” he said.