HomeMy Public PortalAboutTOL PR 2012-07-16 DOJ preclearance
Town of Leesburg
News Release
For Immediate Release
Leesburg Receives Preclearance from U.S. Department of
Justice to Move Town Elections from May to November
Town elections will remain nonpartisan
Leesburg, VA (July 16, 2012) – The Leesburg Town Attorney’s Office announced today that the
Town has received preclearance from the U.S. Department of Justice, under Section 5 of the
Voting Rights Act of 1965, to move Town elections for mayor and council from May to
November in even-numbered years, and for the elections to continue to be nonpartisan.
In November 2011, a referendum to move Town of Leesburg elections from May to November
was passed by Leesburg voters. In March 2012, the Virginia General Assembly approved an
amendment to the Leesburg Town Charter, changing the date of town elections and providing
that the town elections would continue to be nonpartisan. Senator Mark Herring and Delegate
Randy Minchew sponsored the Leesburg Town Charter Amendment. In May 2012, the Town
submitted the approved Town Charter amendment to the U.S. Department of Justice for pre-
clearance.
Contact:
Jeanette Irby, Esq.
Town Attorney
jirby@leesburgva.gov
703-737-7175
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