The woman suing the City to change to district elections after losing her bids for the City Council and College Board took the stand Thursday in a trial that will determine the future of Santa Monica’s democracy. Attorneys from both sides grilled her for two-and-a-half hours before the court took a break for lunch. When they returned, Maria Loya returned to the witness stand, closed her eyes and took a deep breath.

Loya’s 2004 campaign for the City Council is one of seven elections her team of lawyers say were racially polarized. In that election, Bobby Shriver swept the city-wide race, winning the most votes in every single neighborhood except for hers, the Pico Neighborhood.

Read More: http://www.smdp.com/key-witness-takes-the-stand-in-voting-rights-lawsuit/168160