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WHITE PLAINS - A federal judge has blocked this month's election for trustees in Port Chester, citing evidence that its
at-large system discriminates against Hispanics.
Judge Stephen Robinson took the unusual step by granting a preliminary injunction requested by the Justice Department,
ending a trial scheduled for this spring. He said he based his decision on the likelihood that the government would win the
trial, and that holding the March 20 election in Port Chester would cause "irreparable harm" to Hispanics.
There was no immediate word on whether Port Chester would appeal. The village scheduled a Saturday morning meeting of its
board "to consider the options," said spokesman Aldo Vitagliano.
The lawsuit against Port Chester was filed by the Justice Department in December. It alleged that allowing the entire village
to vote for each of six trustees diluted the influence of the growing Hispanic population, now nearing 50 percent in the village
of 28,000.
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We feel Portchester officials should face the reality of the situation and settle with the community.
It is just a matter of time and it would save the taxpayers so much money. Not to mention it is the most democratic
way to proceed. Every effort should be made to include all people in the democratic process.
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