July 26, 2005

"Black groups demand US voting rights act extension"

"Civil rights activists demanded on Monday that the Bush administration extend the life of the 1965 Voting Rights Act, claiming the landmark legislation was necessary to prevent a return to widespread discrimination in voting practices.

Parts of the act, including a provision that forces a number of mostly Southern states and counties to get pre-approval from Washington before changing voting times, places or methods -- are set to expire in 2007 unless reauthorized by the federal government.

"We see schemes to undermine voting growing and the silence from the Department of Justice is deafening," civil rights leader Rev. Jesse Jackson said at a news conference in Atlanta to promote an Aug. 6 voting rights march in the Southern city."

The story is here.

Posted by Randy Riddle at July 26, 2005 08:38 AM