07-17-2001 La Porte Redistricting Committee Regular Meeting

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Constii:ution, 42 U.S.C. 1971(a) (b), Sections 2, 4(a), 4(f)(2), 4(f)(4~01, 203(c), and 208 of the Act, and other constitutional andtutory provisions designed to safe rd the right to vote from denial or abridgment on account of race, color, or membership in a language minority group. (b) Section 2. Preclearance under Section 5 of a voting change will not preclude any legal action under ;Section 2 by the Attorney General if implementation of the change demonstrates that such action is appropriate. (back to index) 51.56 Guidance from the courts. In making determinations the Attorney General will be guided by the relevant decisions of the Supreme Court of the United States and of other Federal courts. (back to index) 51.57 Relevant factors. Among the factors the Attorney General will consider in making determinations with respect to the submif:ted changes affecting voting are the following: (a) ThE: extent to which a reasonable and legitimate justification for the change exists. (b) The extent to which the jurisdiction followed objective guidelines and fair and conventional procedures in adopting the change. (c) Thf: extent to which the jurisdiction afforded members of racial and language minority groups an opportunity to participate in the decision to make the change. (d) The extent to which the jurisdiction took the concerns of members of racial and language minority groups into account in making the change. (back to inndex) 51.58 Representation. (a) Introduction. This section and the sections that follow set forth factors--in addition to those set forth above--that the Attorney General considers in reviewing redistrictings (see S 51.59), changes in electoral systems (see S 51.60), and annexations (see S 51.61). (b) Background factors. In making determinations with respect to these changes involving voting practices and procedures, the Attorney General will consider as important background information the following factors: (1) The extent to which minorities have been denied an equal opportunity to participate meaningfully in the political process in the jurisdiction. (2) The extent to which minorities have been denied an equal opportunity to influence elections and the decisionmaking of elected officials in the jurisdiction. (3) The extent to which voting in the jurisdiction is racially polarized and political activities are racially segregated. (4) The extent to which the voter registration and election participation of minority voters