US sues Georgia's Houston County, says it violates Black voters' rights

By Kanishka Singh

The U.S. Justice Department said on Thursday it has filed a lawsuit against Houston County, Georgia, to challenge the county's at-large method of electing its board of commissioners, alleging the process violates Black voters' rights.

The at-large method results in Black citizens having less opportunity than other members of the electorate to participate in the political process and to elect candidates of choice, which violates the Voting Rights Act, the Justice Department said.

The lawsuit, which was filed in U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Georgia, seeks a court order implementing a new method of electing the Board of Commissioners, the Justice Department said.

"For example, by electing commissioners from fairly drawn single-member districts rather than countywide, Black voters would have an equal opportunity to elect a representative of their choice to the Board," the Justice Department said.

Black residents make up more than 31% of the county's voting-age population, the department said, adding that Houston County has elected just one Black commissioner since the end of the Civil War.

Houston County is home to 163,000 people and countywide elections fill each of its five commission seats.

The Houston County Board of Commissioners said the U.S. Justice Department notified the county of its multi-year investigation and the two sides had held discussions.

"If we agree with DOJ regarding a possible violation of the Voting Rights Act after reviewing all of the documents and evidence, we will take appropriate action at that time," the commissioners said in a statement cited by an NBC News affiliate.

The Houston County commissioners criticized the timing of the Justice Department's actions ahead of the new administration coming in next week in Washington, when Democratic President Joe hands over to Republican President-elect Donald Trump.