Jan 17, 2025 Story by: Publisher
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The U.S. Department of Justice announced on Thursday, January 16, that it has filed a lawsuit against Houston County, Georgia, challenging the county’s at-large election system for its board of commissioners. The lawsuit alleges that the current method infringes on Black voters’ rights under the Voting Rights Act.
According to the Justice Department, the at-large election method reduces Black citizens’ ability to participate fully in the political process and to elect candidates of their choice, thereby violating their rights.
The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Georgia, seeks a court order mandating a new election system for the county’s Board of Commissioners.
“For example, by electing commissioners from fairly drawn single-member districts rather than countywide, Black voters would have an equal opportunity to elect a representative of their choice to the Board,” the Justice Department stated.
Black residents account for over 31% of Houston County’s voting-age population, the department noted, emphasizing that the county has only elected one Black commissioner since the Civil War.
Houston County, with a population of 163,000, currently elects all five of its commission members through countywide elections.
In response, the Houston County Board of Commissioners acknowledged being notified by the Justice Department of its multi-year investigation and confirmed that discussions had taken place.
“If we agree with the DOJ regarding a possible violation of the Voting Rights Act after reviewing all of the documents and evidence, we will take appropriate action at that time,” the commissioners said in a statement, as reported by an NBC News affiliate.
The commissioners also criticized the timing of the Justice Department’s lawsuit, which coincides with the upcoming change in administration. They expressed concerns as Democratic President Joe Biden prepares to hand over leadership to Republican President-elect Donald Trump. Source: US News
