The Falls Church City Council Monday delayed a vote to reduce the number of voting precincts in the City from five to three. However, it approved, 5-1, a resolution to pursue efforts obtain a “bail out” exemption from the Civil Rights Act provision requiring Virginia jurisdictions to obtain pre-clearance for changes in local voting laws with the U.S. Department of Justice.

The City’s paid three-member Electoral Board and its general voting registrar recommended the change, which has been requested by and granted to over 18 other jurisdictions in Virginia since 1982, when a “bail out” provision was added to the Civil Rights Act. City Registrar David Bjerke told the Council that the Department of Justice also favors such “bailouts” to relieve its work load.

With Lawrence Webb absent, Robin Gardner was the lone “no” vote on the measure.