In March 2024, the TVRI, through the Brewer Storefront, issued warning letters to 11 Texas school districts, including Humble Independent School District (HISD), alleging violations of the Voting Rights Act. 

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Key Facts About HISD:

2021-23 Annual Revenue: $649,867,116

2022-23 Enrollment: 48,525

Voting Scheme: At Large

Students of Color: 71%

White Trustees: 5 of 7

 

The Warning Letter:

Four Hispanic opportunity districts can be drawn for voters of color, including one Hispanic opportunity district. About 38% of students are Hispanic, but there are no Hispanic trustees on the Board. On the 2023 STAAR exams, about 43% of Hispanic students and 34% of African American students met grade level, compared to 66% of white students. Read the letter.

 

District Response:

Responds that Humble ISD is committed to free and fair elections and is committed to the best interests of the entire district without regarding to race, and that any suggestion to the contrary is expressly denied. Read the letter.

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The Complaint:

On May 9, 2024, the Brewer Storefront filed suit in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas, Houston Division, on behalf of plaintiff Judith Bautista against HISD and its trustees. 

The lawsuit alleges that, based on the district’s demographics, one would expect that at least one Latino board member could be elected. Yet, none of the seven board members are Hispanic, and five are white. The complaint cities Hispanic candidates who ran for the board in recent years, such as Asdrubal “Dru” Gutierrez in 2023 and Liz Diaz in 2021, who lost to white candidates. 

“Our client believes the at-large election system used by Humble ISD denies Hispanic voters a fair opportunity to elect candidates of their choosing – trustees that represent their interests, schools and communities,” says William A. Brewer III, partner at Brewer Storefront and lead counsel for plaintiff Judith Bautista. “The suit seeks the court-ordered adoption of a single member district voting system that allows every member of the community an equal opportunity to elect candidates of their choosing.” Read the complaint.