Canyon Creek MUD First in the South to Receive Bail Out of the Preclearance Requirement
From Northwest Austin MUD #1
Pursuant to 42 U.S.C. §1973b(a)(4), Northwest Austin Municipal Utility District No. 1 ("the District") hereby gives notice to any and all persons of the proposed settlement of its suit against the Attorney General of the United States.
A joint motion for entry of a consent decree settling all claims between the parties was filed on October 9, 2009, in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia.
Under the proposed consent decree agreed between the District and the United States Department of Justice, the parties have agreed that the District meets the statutory prerequisites to ending federal oversight of its voting practices under Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act, 42 U.S.C. §1973c.
Accordingly, the District will be no longer be required to submit future changes to any voting qualification, prerequisite to voting, or standard, practice, or procedure with respect to voting for approval by the Department prior to enactment, enforcement, or administration of such changes under Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act, 42 U.S.C. §1973c.
Under the proposed decree, the District Court will retain jurisdiction for a period of ten years to ensure continued compliance by the District with the nondiscrimination requirements imposed under the Voting Rights Act and other federal laws.
The parties have asked the District Court to enter the proposed decree 30 days after filing of the joint motion to permit the District time to provide public notice of the proposed settlement and to allow any aggrieved parties an opportunity to make their views known to the District Court.
Any person seeking more information about the suit or concerned about the proposed settlement can contact the District Court or the parties:
U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia 333 Constitution Ave NW Washington, DC 20001 (202) 354-3000
Voting Rights Section U.S. Department of Justice 950 Pennsylvania Ave NW Washington, DC (202) 307-2767 Voting Rights Section
Coleman, L.L.P. 221 W. 6th St., Ste. 750 Austin, TX 78701 (512) 533-0150
