March 14, 2006
The U.S. Department of Justice Is Asked to Block New Orleans Municipal Elections Because of Voting Rights Violations
President Gordon calls for strong measures to ensure city voters in and out of the city have the chance to vote in next month’s city elections
New Orleans – The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) has asked the U. S. Department of Justice to block the scheduled elections in New Orleans because there is not enough time to ensure a fair election process before the scheduled date of April 22.
NAACP President Bruce S. Gordon said: “I am convinced that at this point in time the elections scheduled for April 22 are in fact illegal elections. The state cannot guarantee or provide some level of insurance that a substantial percentage of New Orleans voters will be able to vote either by absentee ballot or in person.”
Under Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, pre-clearance from the Justice Department must occur before an election in Louisiana can be held. The state has not yet received this pre-clearance. at this date. In a letter sent today to Jack Tanner, Chief, Voting Section Civil Rights Division, U.S. Department of Justice. A copy of the letter was also sent to President Bush. Gordon said: “Holding the election on April 22 under the current plans would seriously harm the voting rights of hundreds of thousands of New Orleans citizens, most of whom are African Americans who have been displaced and are still residing temporarily outside the city and outside the state.”
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