[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 238 (Tuesday, December 10, 1996)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 64998-64999]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-31492]


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OFFICE OF PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT

45 CFR Part 801

RIN 3206-AH69


Voting Rights Program

AGENCY: Office of Personnel Management.

ACTION: Final rule with request for comments.

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SUMMARY: Pursuant to a request from the Attorney General, received by 
the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) on December 5, 1996, OPM is 
establishing two new offices for filing applications or complaints 
under the Voting Rights Act of 1965, as amended. The Attorney General 
has determined that this designation is necessary to enforce the voting 
guarantees of the Fourteenth and Fifteenth amendments to the 
Constitution. This amendment establishes Jefferson County and Galveston 
County, Texas, as new offices for filing applications or complaints of 
complaints.

DATES: This rule is effective December 9, 1996. In view of the need for 
its publication without an opportunity for prior comment, comments will 
still be considered. To be timely, comments must be received on or 
before January 9, 1997.

ADDRESSES: Send or deliver comments to Barbara Matthews-Beck, Attorney, 
Office of Personnel Management, Room 7F10, 1900 E Street NW., 
Washington, DC 20415.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Barbara Matthews-Beck, (202) 606-1700.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Attorney General has designated 
Jefferson County and Galveston County as additional examination points 
under the provisions of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, as amended. She 
determined on December 5, 1996, that this designation is necessary to 
enforce the guarantees of the Fourteenth and Fifteenth amendments to 
the Constitution. Accordingly, pursuant to section 6 of the Voting 
Rights Act of 1965, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 1973d, OPM will appoint 
Federal Examiners to review the qualifications of applicants to be 
registered to vote and Federal observers to observe local elections.
    Under section 553(b)(3)(B) of title 5 of the United States Code, 
the Director finds that good cause exists for waiving the general 
notice of proposed rulemaking. The notice is being waived because of 
OPM's legal responsibilities under 42 U.S.C. 1973e(a) and other parts

[[Page 64999]]

of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, as amended, which require OPM to 
publish counties certified by the U.S. Attorney General and locations 
within these counties where citizens can be federally listed and become 
eligible to vote, and where Federal observers can be sent to observe 
local elections.
    Under section 553(d)(3) of title 5 of the United States Code, the 
Director finds that good cause exists to make this amendment effective 
in less than 30 days. The regulation is being made effective 
immediately in view of the pending election to be held in the subject 
counties, where Federal observers will observe the election under the 
authority of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, as amended.

Regulatory Flexibility Act

    I certify that this regulation will not have a significant economic 
impact on a substantial number of small entities because it adds two 
new locations to the list of counties in the regulations concerning 
OPM's responsibilities under the Voting Rights Act.

List of Subjects in 45 CFR Part 801

    Administrative practice and procedure, Voting Rights.

U.S. Office of Personnel Management.
Lorraine A. Green,
Deputy Director.

    Accordingly, OPM is amending 45 CFR Part 801 as follows:

PART 801--VOTING RIGHTS PROGRAM

    1. The authority citation for Part 801 continues to read as 
follows:

    Authority: 5 U.S.C. 1103; secs. 7, 9, 79 Stat. 440, 411 (42 
U.S.C. 1973e, 1973g).

    2. Appendix A to Part 801 is amended by adding alphabetically 
Galveston and Jefferson Counties of Texas to read as follows:

Appendix A to Part 801

* * * * *

Dates, Times, and Places for Filing

* * * * *

Texas

County; Place for filing; Beginning date

* * * * *
    Galveston; 5914 Seawall Boulevard, Galveston, Texas 77551, (409) 
740-1261; December 9, 1996.
* * * * *
    Jefferson; 1610 I-10 South, Beaumont, Texas 77707, (409) 842-
0037; December 9, 1996.
* * * * *
[FR Doc. 96-31492 Filed 12-9-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6325-01-M