Law firm opposing Keller school board election rules offers ‘path’ to avoid lawsuit
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Keller ISD controversy
Read our reporting on the possible plan to split Keller ISD into two districts.
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In a letter to Keller school board president Charles Randklev and trustees, Brewer Storefront, the pro bono community advocacy arm of Brewer, Attorneys and Counselors, issued what it dubbed a path forward for the district to avoid a lawsuit over its proposed district split.
The Dallas-based firm believes Keller’s at-large electoral rules and off-cycle election schedule violate part of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 by denying voters of color an equal voice. The letter, which was shared with the Star-Telegram, outlined Brewer’s suggestions for rectifying what it views as voter suppression tactics:
- The Keller school board must abandon immediate plans to split the district in half.
- The board must pursue a more inclusive voting system. Ostensibly, this means moving from an at-large electoral system to a cumulative system in which voters have multiple votes that can be divided across all open seats or consolidated in support of particular candidates.
- The district must move board elections to November during the general voting period. Currently, Keller school district elections are held in May. Some argue the low turnout at off-cycle elections can result in representatives who are not aligned politically with most of their constituents.
- Finally, the board must inform voters, “especially minority voters,” in both English and Spanish about election dates, candidates and procedures.
Board members did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
This story was originally published January 30, 2025 at 3:11 PM.
CORRECTION: This story has been updated to correct the form of voting advocated by the law firm.
