Congressman Thompson asks Department of Justice to Enforce Voting Rights Act and Prevent Hinds County Circuit Court Judges from Being Appointed

CONGRESSMAN THOMPSON ASKS DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE TO ENFORCE VOTING RIGHTS ACT AND PREVENT HINDS COUNTY CIRCUIT COURT JUDGES FROM BEING APPOINTED

Today, United States Representative Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS) asks the Department of Justice to determine whether the Mississippi Supreme Court is in violation of the Voting Rights Act in its recent appointment of three special judges to serve on the Hinds County Circuit Court.

"I am asking DOJ to look at the implementation of a 2005 Mississippi Statute allowing the Mississippi Supreme Court to appoint special judges on a temporary basis. I believe it is a clear violation of the Voting Rights Act when the Mississippi Supreme Court dilutes or weakens the strength of voters by appointing judges. This clearly prevents citizens from participating in a Mississippi Constitutionally mandated political process and electing representatives of their choice. In this instance, the appointment of judges to a body that is by Mississippi Constitution an elected body undermines the ability of the people to elect judges and it undermines those judges who are elected to serve on the court."

The Voting Rights Act is clear in its protection of the people's right to vote. On July 27, 2006, of the 109th Congress, we reauthorized the Voting Rights Act with a vote margin of 390 - 33 in the House and 98-0 in the Senate. This specific issue of the State of Mississippi needing approval before making any change with respect to voting - because of our history of discriminatory election methods - was debated and voted on before the Congress. The United States Congress overwhelmingly approved this and other protections in the Voting Rights Act.

"I have asked that DOJ investigate and take the necessary action to not allow these appointments to continue."

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