After more than two years of fighting a claim at-large elections denied minority voters a chance to elect their candidate of choice, Palmdale officials agreed to pay millions and withdraw their appeal.

The city said it was urging state lawmakers to change the California Voting Rights Act legislation, while the plaintiff’s attorneys hoped the settlement would end “the City Council’s apathy towards the needs of the less wealthy, predominately minority, residents of Palmdale’s East side,” according to their respective statements.

The decision by Palmdale City Council ends the costliest legal battle in the history of the California Voting Rights Act.

Malibu lawyer Kevin Shenkman

The terms of the settlement call for the city to pay a record $4.5 million in attorney fees, the largest ever for a California Voting Rights Act settlement, in addition to agreeing to four districts and a citywide mayoral position.

“We are very pleased with the result,” said Kevin Shenkman, attorney for Shenkman & Hughes, an attorney for the plaintiffs who’s been involved in several Santa Clarita Valley CVRA cases. “Not only will Palmdale have fair and inclusive elections, but other cities will look to Palmdale as an example of what happens if they refuse to comply with the California Voting Rights Act.”

City council members approved the terms in a closed session meeting Wednesday.

City officials pointed to the fact that Fred Thompson, who is black, was elected to Palmdale City Council despite the city’s at-large elections, as evidence the plaintiff’s lawsuit was “disingenuous,” and the city’s attorney called the CVRA “a Trojan horse.”

“The truth of the matter is that the California Voting Rights Act is a Trojan horse,” Ditzhazy said.  “While it purports to champion the rights of those historically marginalized by the electoral system, it does nothing more than unleash unto cities and school districts a process of gerrymandering imposed by attorneys intent on fleecing the public coffers.

Palmdale officials might see change in the legislation after all; however, not the kind they’re seeking.

An Assembly Bill is currently in committee in the Legislature that would mandate voter districts for all general law cities with a population greater than 100,000.