US Justice Department sues Houston County, alleging violations of black voting rights

The US Department of Justice on January 16 filed a lawsuit against Houston County, Georgia, to oppose the at-large election method that the county applied in electing the Board of Commissioners, and accused this process of violating the voting rights of people of color.

The US Department of Justice has filed a lawsuit in the Georgia Court, requesting the application of a new election method for the Houston County Board of Commissioners. (Source: Reuters)

According to the US Department of Justice, the general election method gives citizens of color less opportunities than other voters to participate in the political process and vote for their desired candidates, which violates the Voting Rights Act.

The Justice Department has also filed a lawsuit in Georgia, asking for a new election method for the Houston County Board of Commissioners.

“For example, if Commissioners were elected from districts rather than countywide, voters of color would have a fairer opportunity to choose the representation they want on the Council,” the Justice Department stressed.

Houston County has a population of 163,000 and all five Council seats are filled in countywide elections. Blacks make up more than 31% of the county’s voting age population. However, Houston County has elected only one black Commissioner since the end of the Civil War.

The Houston County Board of Commissioners said the U.S. Department of Justice has announced a multi-year investigation into election issues, and the two sides have held discussions to clarify the issues.

“If, after reviewing all the documentation and evidence, we determine that the county may have violated the Voting Rights Act, we are committed to taking appropriate action,” the Board emphasized.

However, Houston County Commissioners have also criticized the Justice Department's move just before the new administration in Washington takes over.

Next week, Democratic President Joe Biden will hand over power to Republican President-elect Donald Trump.

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/bo-tu-phap-my-kien-hat-houston-cao-buoc-vi-pham-quyen-bau-cu-cua-nguoi-da-mau-301220.html