Travis County Commissioners Court
Tuesday, October 11, 2011 (Agenda)
Item 23
>> mr. Eckstein is in the house, and the -- 23, consider and take appropriate action on redrighting preclearance -- redistricting reclearance submission and/or supplement to the united states department of justice.
>> thank you, judge and members of the court.
deece eckstein from intergovernmental relations.
what we want to do today is to approve the preclearance submission to the united states department of justice for the voter tabulation district or election precinct maps that you approved last week.
so this really is the document you have in front of you is the draft of the submission.
it has been prepared by redistricting consultants.
it has been reviewed by the county attorney's office and we are recommending that the court adopt it.
and our consultant will send that submission along with all the necessary backup materials to the department of justice for approval of our voting precinct lines.
as we have reminded the court several times, the one variable that we have no control over in all this is the pending litigation challenge willing the boundary lines for both the congressional boundaries and the state house boundaries.
it is possible that in that litigation, number one, that that litigation will be successful and that the current maps will be struck down.
and secondly, that the changes that are ordered by the court as a result of having struck down the legislative plans will involve some changes to Travis County voting precinct lines.
so that is something over which we have no control.
we therefore recommend the court go forward with setting the boundaries so that we can prepare for elections next March and then we can make the appropriate adjustments if necessary when we -- when we get further direction from the courts.
>> this item covers the preclearance submission.
does it cover the other -- the voting precincts, do we think?
is this what you asked for?
>> this is the preclearance submission for the voting precincts.
you voted on the voting precincts last week, so this is just to send those in to the September of justice with this cover letter and with the other backup materials.
>> and that's all this item covers?
>> that's all this covers, yes, sir.
>> that's why I move approval.
>> second.
>> discussion?
if we approve this, they send it in and if the justice department doesn't like it, they notify us.
we hope they notify us of approval to we can move on down the road.
>> right.
>> all in favor?
show Commissioners Davis, Eckhardt, Gomez and yours truly voting in favor.
Commissioner huebner voting against.
thank you, mr. Eckstein.
>> thank you very much and members of the court.
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