Justice Department clears South Carolina GOP polling changes for presidential primary

Terry Frieden/CNN

February 15, 2000
Web posted at: 10:19 a.m. EST (1519 GMT)

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The Justice Department's Civil Rights Division approved on Monday evening the South Carolina Republican Party's plan to close and consolidate certain polling places for Saturday's pivotal presidential party primary.

The Justice Department had received a citizen complaint that the proposed GOP polling changes were discriminatory and violated the Voting Rights Act.

In response, the state Republican Party last week submitted to the Civil Rights Division its list of polling places and consolidated voting precincts for the primary.

"The Attorney General does not interpose any objection to the specified changes," the Justice Department said in a two-page letter to Republican attorneys in Columbia.

The letter, signed by Joseph Rich, Acting Chief of the Justice Department's Voting Section, said if further changes are proposed, additional clearance will be required.

The Justice official, however, included a cautionary note. "The failure of the Attorney General to object does not bar subsequent litigation to enjoin the enforcement of the changes," the letter said.