Justice Department drops lawsuit against Hazleton, PA

The U.S. Justice Department has withdrawn its lawsuit against Hazleton, Pennsylvania, which accused the city of diluting the political power of its Hispanic population through its at-large system for electing city council members. The lawsuit, originally filed in January, claimed this system violated the Voting Rights Act by making it harder for Hispanic candidates to be elected, despite the city's population being about two-thirds Hispanic. City officials maintained that the system was lawful and provided equal voting rights, noting that Hispanic residents serve on boards and authorities, though none have been elected to the council. Mayor Jeff Cusat credited the dismissal to the city's legal arguments, which he said exposed weaknesses in the Justice Department's case, particularly the assumption that non-Hispanic white voters act as a bloc to defeat Hispanic candidates. The Justice Department did not provide a reason for withdrawing the case. Residents retain the option to change the election system through a referendum.