Justice Department Monitoring Elections In Pawtucket

PAWTUCKET, RI — The Civil Rights Division of the U.S. Justice Department said it will monitor elections Tuesday in Pawtucket to ensure the state is following all federal voting rights laws.

During Tuesday's state primary, federal officials will monitor the election to ensure compliance with the Voting Rights Act. Earlier this year, a federal court approved a consent decree to resolve the department’s claims under Sections 203 of the Voting Rights Act regarding the availability of election assistance and materials in Spanish for Spanish-speaking voters with limited English proficiency in Pawtucket.

Section 203 requires that certain jurisdictions, including Pawtucket, provide election materials and assistance in other languages, in addition to English. The decree also addresses a claim under Section 302 of the Help America Vote Act. Section 302 requires jurisdictions to provide provisional ballots during federal elections. The consent decree authorizes federal observers to monitor election day activities in the county’s polling places.

"The Civil Rights Division’s Voting Section, working with U.S. Attorneys’ Offices, enforces the civil provisions of federal statutes that protect the right to vote, including the Voting Rights Act, National Voter Registration Act, Help America Vote Act, Civil Rights Acts and the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act," A U.S. Justice Department spokesperson said.

Complaints of potential violations can be made by calling 1-800-253-3931 or by filling out a form on the Justice Department's website.

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