The Trail

VOTING-LAW CONCERNS

Assurances on Nov. 4

Attorney General Michael B. Mukasey met Monday with civil rights groups concerned that some voters will be denied access to the polls in November's election and assured them the department will be vigilant about enforcing voting laws.

Grace Chung Becker, the acting head of Justice's Civil Rights Division, told reporters after the session that hundreds of federal observers will monitor elections throughout the country, although she said it is too early to predict precise numbers or locations. She said roughly 500 Justice staffers and federal observers have monitored elections so far this year in 17 states.

The department would have a "comprehensive program" to enforce laws on ballot access, she said, and "let the chips fall where they may."

Several representatives from voting rights groups, however, said they were disappointed that most of the session was devoted to a general review of voting laws rather than details on how Justice will deploy for the presidential contest. Some said they were wary, given what they feel is the department's inaction on pending voting rights complaints, and recent Justice Department admissions of improper political considerations in hiring.

"There is a high bar . . . given the partisanship we have seen," said Peter Zamora, Washington regional counsel for the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund.

Kristen Clarke, a lawyer with the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, said that until Justice elaborates more on its plans, "it is a wait-and-see approach from us."

-- Mary Pat Flaherty