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Posted by Kanishka Singh
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The U.S. Department of Justice said on Thursday it has filed a lawsuit against Houston County, Georgia, challenging the county’s large-scale method of electing its board of commissioners, alleging the process is violate the rights of Black people.
The main result is that Black citizens are less likely than other members of the electorate to participate in the political process and vote for candidates of their choice, in violation of the Voting Rights Act. , the Justice Department said.
The lawsuit, which was filed in the US District Court for the Middle District of Georgia, seeks a court order implementing a new process for selecting the Board of Commissioners, the Justice Department said.
“For example, by electing commissioners from single-member districts instead of county-wide, Black voters will have an equal opportunity to elect a representative of their choice to the Board, ” the Department of Justice said.
Black residents make up more than 31% of the county’s voting-age population, the agency said, adding that Houston County has elected only one black commissioner since the end of the War. of Home.
Houston County is home to 163,000 people and countywide elections fill each of its five commission seats.
The Houston County Board of Commissioners said the US Department of Justice has informed the county of its multi-year investigation and both sides have been in talks.
“If we agree with the DOJ regarding a possible violation of the Voting Rights Act after reviewing all documents and evidence, we will take appropriate action at that time,” the commissioners said in a statement cited by the member. of NBC News.
Houston County Commissioners criticized the timing of the Justice Department’s actions ahead of next week’s new administration in Washington, when Democratic President Joe Biden surrenders to Republican President-elect Donald Trump.
