Decision eases voting regulations

By Justin Faulconer

Published: July 24, 2008

The Department of Justice has passed a consent judgment and decree with Amherst County to allow a “bailout” under the Voting Rights Act.

If a three-judge federal court upholds the decision, the county would become the 14th Virginia locality to no longer have to submit voting changes to the department. The bailout gives local election officials greater flexibility in making routine voting and election changes.

J. Gerald Herbert is an attorney in Alexandria representing the county and the other counties that have achieved bailouts. He said Amherst has a solid record of compliance to the act and not engaging in voter discrimination, which makes it eligible for the bailout.

Amherst would be the first in Central Virginia to secure the bailout from the department. Herbert said in a press release that it should encourage other localities to look into doing the same.

“Amherst County is rightfully proud of its impressive record of equal opportunity,” Herbert said in the July 18 release. “Today’s bailout puts a stamp of approval on the county’s voting and election practices.”

County Administrator Rodney Taylor said the county’s move for a bailout was also intended to save more local dollars.