Opinion ID: 722387
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 6

Heading: motion to consider 1996 election results.

Text: 74 Pending this appeal, FBISD filed a motion asking us to consider the results of the school board elections occurring in May, 1996. It argues that the elections demonstrate the electability of black candidates because two blacks were elected. The plaintiffs oppose the motion because the defendants present the results absent any statistical analysis. The plaintiffs contend that remand would be appropriate in order for both the 1995 and 1996 election results to be considered. We disagree with both parties. 75 As framed, we cannot independently evaluate the May 1996 election results. FBISD asks us to consider the evidence; it does not request a remand of the case in order for the district court to evaluate the evidence. We have previously indicated that this Court may not consider election results that the district court did not have before it when making its decision. See Zimmer, supra, 485 F.2d at 1307 (The significance attached to success at the polls in the instant case is unavailing ... First, these results were not before the district court when it rendered the opinion we are presently reviewing. It is axiomatic that an appellate court cannot take cognizance of matters not passed upon by the trial court.) (election occurred after trial but before entry of the district court's judgment); and Monroe, 881 F.2d at 1329 n. 2 (after noting that two blacks were elected in an election subsequent to trial the court explained that [t]he district court did not have the results of this election before it; accordingly, these results play no part in our review of the court's conclusions) (election occurred after entry of the district court's judgment). See also Salas v. Southwest Texas Junior College District, 964 F.2d 1542, 1544-45 n. 7 (5th Cir.1992) (although noting that the results of an election occurring after trial would alter the district court's factual findings, that court cited Monroe and commented as follows: We simply note these facts; they do not affect 'our review of the [district] court's conclusions' ) (election occurred after entry of the district court's judgment). 76 Accordingly, we hold that it is not within our province to evaluate election results not contained within the record when the district court ruled. We further note that under the circumstances of this case, which has remained unresolved since its filing in November 1992, we are hesitant to prolong this case by remand when the significance of the offered evidence could only be determined after additional trial proceedings.