Audio By Carbonatix
City Hall just sent word: At long last the city has submitted to the Department of Justice the new council districts map approved by the council on October 5. But that is hardly the entirety of the package sent to the DoJ yesterday: If you click here you’ll find the massive package of videos, maps, meeting minutes and whatnots created during the months-long process that began quietly enough and ended with a roar. City Attorney Tom Perkins’s cover letter alone is 19 pages. And, look: a handy phone list!
Barbara McAninch, the assistant city attorney tasked with redistricting, says DoJ requires all these docs so “they have a chance to look at everything submitted,” even the earliest maps dismissed by the Redistricting Commission. The reason: “to see if there was a better map that wasn’t approved.”
DoJ now begins its review process, which begins with comparing the current map with the one the council narrowly voted to approve. The feds now have 60 days to sign off on the new map. But McAninch reminds: If Justice has questions, they’ll come back to the city and put the process on pause till those issues are resolved.
McAninch also says: No new map, unseen by citizens, was submitted in the package sent to Justice yesterday. Still, feel the need to complain? On the other side, how-to instructions before filing a lawsuit.
When news happens, Dallas Observer is there —
Your support strengthens our coverage.
We’re aiming to raise $30,000 by December 31, so we can continue covering what matters most to you. If the Dallas Observer matters to you, please take action and contribute today, so when news happens, our reporters can be there.
From City Hall, this is how you register complaints with the feds:
Comments or concerns can be submitted directly to the Department of Justice. Comments to the Chief, Voting Section, Civil Rights Division, sent by the U.S. Postal Service, including certified mail or express mail, shall be addressed to the Chief, Voting Section, Civil Rights Division, United States Department of Justice, Room 7254-NWB, 950 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20530.
Carriers other than the U.S. Postal Service, including hand delivery, should be addressed and may be delivered to the Chief, Voting Section, Civil Rights Division, United States Department of Justice, Room 7254-NWB, 1800 G Street, NW, Washington, DC 20006.
All comments should be marked: “Comment under Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act.” Comments should include the name of the jurisdiction and the Attorney General’s file number (2011- 4417) in the subject line.
