Feds to monitor NM polls on election day
Posted at: 06/04/2012 11:01 AM
| Updated at: 06/04/2012 3:11 PM
By: The Associated Press
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) - Federal officials are planning to look out for any cases of voter discrimination in upcoming elections nationwide, including at polling sites in New Mexico.
The U.S. Justice Department announced it plans to send observers to Cibola and Sandoval counties to monitor elections Tuesday.
Monitors are also being sent to counties in California, South Dakota and Wisconsin.
The federal Voting Rights Act prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color or being part of a non-English-speaking group.
The act also mandates certain jurisdictions provide language assistance for voters, including Native Americans in New Mexico counties.
Federal civil rights attorneys will also be maintaining contact with local election officials.
The New Mexico election Tuesday features contested races for 43 House and Senate seats, and two dozen incumbents face primary opponents.
(Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
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