For Immediate Release
October 29, 2008		 Contact:  202.225.8351   
     

Rep. Scott Disappointed in Lack of Response by Justice Department
WASHINGTON, DC - Today, U.S. Representative Robert C. “Bobby” Scott, (D-VA-3), released the following letter reflecting his disappointment in the lack of a response by the U.S. Department of Justice to his October 17, 2008 letter requesting information on pre-clearance of voting procedure requests by Virginia jurisdictions under Section 5 of the federal Voting Rights Act.

 

The text of both letters sent by Congressman Scott to the Attorney General are below:

 

October 29, 2008

 

The Honorable Michael B. Mukasey

Attorney General of the United States

U.S. Department of Justice

950 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW

Washington, DC 20530-0001

 

Dear Attorney General Mukasey:

 

I am writing as a follow up to my letter dated October 17, 2008 asking for a list of the Virginia jurisdictions that have requested Section 5 pre-clearance of changes in polling procedures for the 2008 Presidential election together with the changes they requested and any actions you have taken on those requests.  In that letter, I asked that you provide the information by October 24, 2008.  All I have received from your staff to date is information that you have approved 43 of 44 requests from Virginia jurisdictions. 

 

As a member of the U.S. House Judiciary Committee, the committee with jurisdiction over voting rights issues, it has been brought to my attention that some of the approvals will adversely affect minority voters.  In order to respond to these concerns, I need the requested information.

 

Therefore, I am asking that you provide me with the requested information forthwith.

 

Very truly yours,

 

/S/

 

ROBERT C. “BOBBY” SCOTT

Member of Congress

 

 

 

October 17, 2008

 

The Honorable Michael B. Mukasey

Attorney General of the United States

U.S. Department of Justice

950 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW

Washington, DC 20530-0001

 

Dear Attorney General Mukasey:

 

I understand that there have been several requests for pre-clearance, under the Voting Rights Act requirements, of polling procedure changes by jurisdictions in Virginia for the upcoming presidential election.  I write to request a list of the jurisdictions that have requested such changes together with the changes they requested and any actions you have taken on those requests.

 

I am also requesting that you respond to this letter no later than Friday, October 24, 2008.

               

Very truly yours, 

 

/S/

 

ROBERT C. “BOBBY” SCOTT

Member of Congress

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