FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                          CR
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 20, 1995                           (202) 616-2765
                                               TDD (202) 514-1888

                                 
         JUSTICE DEPARTMENT TO DISPATCH FEDERAL OFFICIALS
            TO EAST CARROLL PARISH, LOUISIANA TOMORROW


     WASHINGTON, D.C. -- In an effort to protect the integrity of
the voting process and to prevent the intimidation of minority
voters, the Justice Department will dispatch eleven federal
observers to East Carroll Parish, Louisiana for Saturday's
election.
     The eleven federal observers will be sent to the parish to
detect possible voting rights violations, and will monitor the
process for giving assistance to minority voters.
     "Our democracy rests on the right to vote," said Deval L.
Patrick, Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights.  "The
observers will help ensure that minority voters have a fair
opportunity to cast their ballot."
     Under the Voting Rights Act, which protects the rights of
Americans to participate in the electoral process, the Justice
Department is authorized to request that the Office of Personnel
Management send federal observers to areas that are specially
covered in the Act.  
     The October 21, 1995 primary election will decide the
membership of the police jury, school board, and other state and
parish offices.  This is an "open primary" election where all
candidates, regardless of party, run together, and candidates who
get a majority of the votes are elected.  A police jury is the
parish governing body. 
     The parish has a 65% African-American majority and a history
of discrimination in voting rights. 
     The federal observers will provide basic information
regarding procedures or activities that could disadvantage or
result in the harassment or intimidation of African-American
voters during the October 21 election.  Included in this are
denials of requests for assistance or the assistor of choice by
African-American voters.      
     Anyone with information concerning violations of the Voting
Rights Act in East Carroll Parish or elsewhere in Louisiana can
contact the federal examiner at (318) 559-3708.  
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95-546