THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, January 26, 1996 TAG: 9601260549
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B5 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: ASSOCIATED PRESS
DATELINE: HAMPTON LENGTH: Short : 35 lines
The Virginia chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union will challenge a new voting plan for elections to City Council.
Kent Willis, executive director of the state ACLU, said Wednesday the organization would decide within 10 days whether to join a lawsuit filed last summer by four Hampton residents or file a separate lawsuit.
In either case, Willis said, ``We have decided to commit our resources to make certain the Hampton voting plan is modified. What we have to decide is what is the most effective method to use.''
``We are happy to have the company,'' said Oscar Blayton, an attorney for the four plaintiffs.
Last September, the City Council adopted an election plan to replace the at-large voting system, which blacks contended dilutes their voting strength. But instead of the six-ward system sought by many black residents and recommended by a citywide commission, the council's plan splits the city into two districts, one predominantly black and one predominantly white.
Two council members would be elected from each district, but two other council members still would be elected at-large. The mayor also would be elected at-large.
Mayor James L. Eason defended the two-ward plan as a compromise to increase the strength of black voters while avoiding racial polarization. by CNB