Chaldean Coalition v. County of San Diego Independent Redistricting etc. CA4/1

INTRODUCTION

This appeal arises from the trial court’s denial of a petition for traditional writ of mandate. The petition was brought by nonprofit Chaldean Coalition, Inc. (Coalition) to challenge certain decisions made by the officials responsible for the most recent redrawing of San Diego County’s five supervisorial districts. The Coalition’s claims centered on a decision that resulted in members of the Chaldean community being placed in different supervisorial districts. The Coalition asserted the redistricting decision was racially motivated such that it violated relevant law and was unconstitutional as well as arbitrary and capricious. After a bench trial, the trial court issued a statement of decision finding the Coalition lacked standing and also failed to prove its claims. The Coalition appeals the judgment entered on the statement of decision. We conclude the Coalition established public interest standing to bring its petition, but we affirm the judgment because the Coalition fails to establish an error that is prejudicial.

FACTUAL AND PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND

I. The 2020 Supervisorial Redistricting of San Diego County A. Decennial Redistricting Generally At the start…