Fort Worth Star-Telegram Reports on Voting Rights Act Case, Third-Party Support

February 9, 2026 – The Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports today on substantial third-party support for Brewer Storefront’s voting-rights challenge to Keller Independent School District’s at-large school board election system. As reported, after the federal district court dismissed the lawsuit, the firm’s subsequent filing details extensive empirical evidence, expert analysis, and sworn testimony demonstrating persistent concerns about minority vote dilution and representational fairness.

The filing includes historical election data showing that candidates favored by a majority of Hispanic voters in Keller ISD elections have consistently been unsuccessful, despite Hispanic students comprising approximately 26% of the district’s enrollment and the absence of any Hispanic trustees on the board. Independent academic research, including analysis published by the University of Chicago, has identified at-large voting systems as historically associated with minority vote dilution.

Notably, the Star-Telegram reports that the court record now includes sworn affidavits from nationally recognized voting-rights experts, elected officials, and community leaders. These include testimony from FairVote Director of Research and Policy Deb Otis, as well as affidavits from Texas State Representative Rafael Anchía and former North Texas school board trustees with firsthand experience implementing such reforms. Storefront plaintiff Claudio Vallejo also provided sworn testimony.

As reported, in an affidavit included in the new filing, which was in response to O’Connor’s order, Vallejo wrote that he believed lack of diverse representation on the school board negatively impacts Hispanic and African-American student outcomes.

Multiple affidavits also describe real-world impacts on parents and candidates within Keller ISD.

Brewer Storefront previously represented plaintiffs in successful voting-rights matters that resulted in the adoption of cumulative voting systems, leading to increased minority representation. Consistent with that history, the Star-Telegram reports that the firm respectfully disagrees with the district court’s ruling and has announced its intent to appeal.

Read more:  Plaintiff in Keller lawsuit argues claims were not baseless | Fort Worth Star-Telegram