HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolutions - No. 81-45 ERRESOLUTION NO. 81-45
RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
LODI DIRECTING THE CITY CLERK TO CONDUCT ALL
FUTURE MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS WITH ORAL ASSISTANCE
ONLY FOR MINORITY LANGUAGES UNDER THE VOTERS
RIGHTS ACT (1975 AMENDMENT)
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Lodi has
been keenly concerned with the costs incurred in providing
multi -language election material pursuant to the 1975 Amendments
to the Voting Rights Act.
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Lodi, over
the past several years, has made a concerted effort to determine
the benefits to the citizens of this community for such a
costly program. In canvassing the municipal election results
in this community since the enactment of this legislation, it
has been determined that the Spanish language portion of the
ballot has not been utilized.
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Lodi directed
the City Clerk of this City to correspond with the President
of the United States expressing the points heretofore set forth
and pleading that in view of the present economy of the nation
and the financial reversals being encountered by cities through-
out this nation that immediate action be taken to rescind the
multi-lingual requirements of the subject act.
WHEREAS, the letter directed to President Reagan was
referred to the U.S. Department of Justice and on April 13,
1981 a written response was received from David H. Hunter,
Attorney, Voting Section, U.S. Justice Department, which states
in part as follows:
"It is the view of the Attorney General that the
Voting Rights Act does not require jurisdiction to
undertake minority language electoral activities
that would not further the goal of enabling minority
language citizens to participate effectively in
the electoral process. You may wish to consider
whether given the circumstances you describe the
City of Lodi might not better focus its monority
language efforts on the provisions of Spanish
language oral assistance in voting precincts that
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have significant numbers of actual or potential
voters of Spanish heritage who are not proficient
in the English language and on publicity for the
availability of such assistance."
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council
of the City of Lodi does hereby direct Alice M. Reimche, City
Clerk of the City of Lodi, to conduct all future Municipal
elections with oral assistance only for minority languages
under the Voters Rights Act (1975 Amendment).
Dated: May 6, 1981
I hereby certify that Resolution No. 81-45 was passed
and adopted by the City Council of the City of Lodi
in a regular meeting held May 6, 1981 by the follow-
ing vote:
Ayes: Councilmen - Murphy, Pinkerton, Katnich
and McCarty
i
Noes: Councilmen - None
Absent: Councilmen - Hughes
ALICE M. REIMCHE
City Clerk
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