Leflore county receives letter from federal gov’t 12-14-2010

THE LEFLORE COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS HAS ACCEPTED A LETTER FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT THAT SIGNS OFF ON A CONSENT DECREE REACHED IN A LAWSUIT OVER LOCAL ELECTION PRACTICES. THE LETTER DATED NOVEMBER 29 FROM THE U.S. JUSTICE DEPARTMENT'S CIVIL RIGHTS DIVISION; STATES THE FEDERAL AGENCY HAS NO OBJECTION TO THE AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE MISSISSIPPI REPUBLICAN PARTY AND THE ELECTION COMMISSION. THE AGREEMENT REQUIRES THE COMMISSION TO FOLLOW EXISTING STATE LAW WHILE HOLDING ELECTIONS. THE DECREE ALSO PROHIBITS CELL PHONE USAGE AFTER VOTERS HAVE SIGNED THE POLL BOOKS. THE AGREEMENT SETTLED A LAWSUIT REPUBLICANS FILED OVER CHAOTIC CONDITIONS AT THE POLLS DURING THE 2008 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION.