The Justice Department has announced plans to monitor compliance with federal voting rights laws in Alaska for the October 1 Regional Education Attendance Area (REAA) elections. The department will focus on the Bethel, Dillingham, and Kusilvak Census Areas, as well as the Northwest Arctic and North Slope Boroughs.
Federal observers will be assigned to monitor the election in the Dillingham and Kusilvak Census Areas specifically to ensure adherence to the Voting Rights Act. This follows a federal court order addressing claims under Section 203 of the Voting Rights Act concerning Yup’ik-speaking voters' rights. The order allows federal observers to oversee election day activities in these areas. Additionally, department staff will be sent to monitor compliance in the Bethel Census Area, Northwest Arctic Borough, and North Slope Borough.
The Justice Department routinely deploys its personnel to monitor elections across various communities in the United States for compliance with federal civil rights laws. When authorized by a federal court order, it also sends federal observers from the Office of Personnel Management.
The Civil Rights Division’s Voting Section collaborates with U.S. Attorneys’ Offices to enforce civil provisions of federal statutes that protect voting rights. These statutes include the Voting Rights Act, National Voter Registration Act, Help America Vote Act, Civil Rights Acts, and Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act.
For more information about voting and elections, visit www.justice.gov/voting. Details about the Voting Rights Act and other federal voting laws can be found at www.justice.gov/crt/voting-section. Information on Section 203 language requirements of the Voting Rights Act is available in Yup’ik on the department’s website. Complaints regarding potential violations of federal voting rights laws can be submitted through the Civil Rights Division at civilrights.justice.gov or by calling 1-800-253-3931.