Dechert Provides Pro Bono Assistance for LatinoJustice PRLDEF in Voting Rights Act Case

Failure to Provide Spanish-Language Materials and Assistance in York County, PA

On October 20, 2022, Dechert LLP and LatinoJustice PRLDEF filed a complaint in federal district court on behalf of CASA and Puerto Rican voters against the Board of Elections in York County, Pennsylvania, for their failure to provide Spanish-language materials and assistance as required by the Voting Rights Act. (View LatinoJustice PRLDEF’s press release about the filing here.)

Three weeks before the November 8 midterm elections, with several important statewide and federal races happening in the battleground state, the groups are demanding that the Board of Elections meet its legal obligation to provide Spanish-language election materials and assistance to voters in York County. 

The action seeks a preliminary injunction ordering the Board of Elections to provide, among other things, Spanish sample ballots and signage and training for poll workers to allow Spanish-language voters educated in Spanish-language schools in Puerto Rico to vote effectively.

The case was filed on behalf of CASA, an organization advocating for the rights of Latinos, immigrants, and working-class families in Pennsylvania in the federal district court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania. It would remove English-only barriers for hundreds of Puerto Ricans who reside in and are eligible to vote in York County.

“By failing to adequately provide Spanish-language election materials to its voters, York County has failed to comply with protections put in place by the Voting Rights Act,” said Julia Chapman, a litigation partner at Dechert LLP. “This action aims to correct that failure. We remain committed to ensuring that all eligible voters have a true opportunity to effectively participate in our elections.”

The Dechert team involved in the pro-bono action includes partners Neil Steiner and Julia Chapman and associates Arielle Dragon and Jennifer Harchut.

Dechert has a longstanding commitment to providing pro bono legal services to individuals and organizations who cannot otherwise afford legal counsel. This commitment exists in all of Dechert’s 22 offices in the United States and internationally. Each year, the firm handles hundreds of pro bono matters, covering a broad range of issues, including civil rights, international human rights, child advocacy, veterans, prisoner civil rights, landlord tenant, access to public benefits, immigration, criminal law and the representation of nonprofits, small businesses and social enterprises. This year, Dechert was again ranked by The American Lawyer among the ten top firms for pro bono both in the United States and internationally.

About Dechert

Dechert is a leading global law firm with 22 offices around the world. The firm advises on matters and transactions of the greatest complexity, bringing energy, creativity, and efficient management of legal issues to deliver commercial and practical advice for clients.