Justice Department to Monitor Elections in Florida and Wisconsin

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The Justice Department announced todaythat it will monitor elections on Aug. 14, 2012, in the following jurisdictionsto ensure compliance with the Voting Rights Act of 1965 and other federalvoting rights statutes:  Collier, Hendry,Lee, Osceola and Polk Counties, Fla.; and the city of Milwaukee, Wis.
 The Voting Rights Act prohibits discriminationin the election process on the basis of race, color or membership in a minoritylanguage group.  In addition, the actrequires certain covered jurisdictions to provide language assistance duringthe election process.  Collier, Hendry,Lee, Osceola and Polk Counties, as well as the city of Milwaukee, are requiredto provide language assistance in Spanish. 
 Civil Rights Division personnel will monitor pollingplace activities in these jurisdictions. Civil Rights Division attorneys will coordinate federal activities andmaintain contact with local election officials.
 Each year, the Justice Department deployshundreds of federal observers from Office of Personnel Management, as well asdepartmental staff, to monitor elections across the country.  To file complaints about discriminatoryvoting practices, including acts of harassment or intimidation, voters may callthe Voting Section of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division at1-800-253-3931.
 Visit www.justice.gov/crt/voting/index.php formore information about the Voting Rights Act and other federal voting laws.