Filed Date: May 3, 2012
Closed Date: June 18, 2022
Clearinghouse coding complete
This is a case about Wythe County, Virginia seeking an exemption (“bail out”) from the special remedial provisions of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 (the “Act”). In pertinent part, the Act provided that governmental entities and their political subdivisions identified as employing devices infringing on the right to vote would be subject to special provisions requiring preclearance before implementing new voting-related laws or devices. By virtue of being located in the Commonwealth of Virginia, Wythe County was subject to the preclearance requirements.
On May 3, 2012, Wythe County filed a complaint for declaratory relief against the Attorney General and the Assistant Attorney General, seeking a declaration that Wythe County was exempted from coverage pursuant to the “bailout” provision in Section 4(a) of the Act. The bailout provision allowed identified governmental entities to exempt themselves from the preclearance requirements upon a showing that the conditions set forth under Section 4(a) of the Act had been fulfilled over the prior ten years.
On May 17, 2012, after appointment of a three-judge court, the parties jointly moved for approval of a consent judgment and decree. In the joint motion, the Parties explained that the Attorney General had determined that Wythe County met all of the requirements of Section 4(a), and that the Attorney General would consent to a declaratory judgment granting bailout to the Wythe County under Section 4(a).
The court entered the consent judgment and decree on June 18, 2012, exempting Wythe County from the preclearance requirements, but retaining jurisdiction over the matter for an additional ten years.
This case is closed.
Summary Authors
Shaina Massie (11/27/2023)
For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/12841028/parties/wythe-county-virginia-v-holder/
Jackson, Amy Berman (District of Columbia)
Butler, John G. (District of Columbia)
Wochok, Thomas Michael (District of Columbia)
McFarland, Ernest Alan (District of Columbia)
Rios, Maria Hortensia (District of Columbia)
See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/12841028/wythe-county-virginia-v-holder/
Last updated Dec. 21, 2024, 7:55 a.m.
State / Territory: District of Columbia
Case Type(s):
Special Collection(s):
Law Firm Antiracism Alliance (LFAA) project
Key Dates
Filing Date: May 3, 2012
Closing Date: June 18, 2022
Case Ongoing: No
Plaintiffs
Plaintiff Description:
Wythe County, Virginia
Plaintiff Type(s):
Public Interest Lawyer: No
Filed Pro Se: No
Class Action Sought: No
Class Action Outcome: Not sought
Defendants
Attorney General (United States Department of Justice) (- United States (national) -), Federal
Case Details
Causes of Action:
Voting Rights Act, section 5, 52 U.S.C. § 10304 (previously 42 U.S.C. § 1973c)
Special Case Type(s):
Available Documents:
Outcome
Prevailing Party: Plaintiff
Nature of Relief:
Source of Relief:
Form of Settlement:
Court Approved Settlement or Consent Decree
Order Duration: 2012 - 2022
Issues
Voting: