Civil rights groups file voting rights lawsuit against Gwinnett

Three groups representing minorities and civil rights interests are suing Gwinnett County officials in federal court, arguing the Board of Commissioners and Board of Education districts violate federal voting law.

The Georgia NAACP, the Georgia Association of Latino Elected Officials and the Lawyer’s Committee for Civil Rights Under Law filed the lawsuit Monday morning. The groups are accusing the county of violating Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 by drawing districts that dilute the strength of minority voting blocks.

“This case exemplifies the need to safeguard access to the ballot to ensure that the right to vote is not impeded by the redistricting process,” Georgia NAACP President Francys Johnson said in a statement.

“When district lines have been drawn to marginalize minority voters, a lawsuit brought under Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act is sometimes the only way minority voters can achieve parity with white voters and have the ability to elect candidates who are responsive to their needs and concerns.”

Read more: http://www.gwinnettdailypost.com/local/civil-rights-groups-file-voting-rights-lawsuit-against-gwinnett/article_f21b378e-4f5d-5495-bb14-7f4c94958e8c.html