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A federal appeals court has sided with a Hispanic rights group that sued the Texas Democratic Party over the “Texas Two-Step” delegate process.

The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) sued the Texas Democratic Party over its delegate selection process following the confusion of the 2008 primaries.

The Hispanic rights organization alleges that the party’s delegate selection process dilutes the Hispanic vote and should be subject to the federal Voting Rights Act.

The Texas Democratic Party denies that its delegate selection is discriminatory.

The case has been tied up in court but the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals in West Texas sided with LULAC during a Tuesday morning decision to deny the Texas Democratic Party's motion for summary judgment.

LULAC Legal Advisor Luis Vera said the decision was a great legal victory.

“We will move forward quickly by asking the Democratic Party to submit its delegate selection process for pre-clearance by the U.S. Justice Department,” Vera said in a statement.
“LULAC will vigorously challenge that submission.”

Texas Democratic Party Chairman Boyd Richie issued a written statement regarding the court’s decision:

“Today a three-judge Federal District Court ruled on a request for summary judgment by the Texas Democratic Party regarding the technical aspects of delegate selection.  While the Court denied summary judgment, it emphasized that they were not finding the Texas Democratic Party’s delegate allocation plan discriminatory.  The Texas Democratic Party fully supports all aspects of the Voting Rights Act and works diligently to ensure the participation of all Texans in the electoral process.  Our legal counsel is currently reviewing the Court’s opinion in this case to determine their recommendations for further action.”