NATCHEZ — It’s now up to the U.S. Justice Department to decide whether or not the non-binding referendum on recreation will be on the November ballot.

Attorney Walter Brown, who has been working with the recreation committee to get the referendum on the ballot, said any amendments to that ballot must first be approved by the Justice Department.

Brown said the Justice Department will seek to verify that the referendum will not violate the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

“They’ll want to see that the addition of the referendum won’t impact any racial or minority group,” Brown said. “And (the referendum) won’t. There’s no reason to believe the Justice Department would have a problem.”

Brown said he expects the submission to arrive in Washington, D.C., on Monday, which should give the Justice Department plenty of time to issue a ruling.

The department has 60 days to issue a ruling once the submission is received.

Brown said he expects to have heard back from the Justice Department at least one month prior to the election.

“This gives us plenty of time,” Brown said.

If the submission receives approval, the Nov. 3 ballot will ask voters: Do you favor the creation of a consolidated countywide recreation program to be funded by a bond and/or other financial device in an amount to be determined but not to exceed $5,450,000?

Adams County Supervisor, and recreation complex proponent, Mike Lazarus said he was pleased to learn Friday’s submission was prepared so quickly.

It was little more than a week ago when the supervisors passed a motion that would allow the referendum to be placed on the ballot.

“This is a very important step,” Lazarus said. “Now we can let the people tell us what they want.”