CASES RAISING CLAIMS UNDER Section 11(b) of the Voting Rights Act

United States v. New Black Panther Party, MS (E.D. Pa. 2009)

On January 7, 2009, the Department filed a complaint against the New Black Panther Party in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania alleging violations of Section 11(b) of the Voting Rights Act. The complaint alleges multiple causes of action under Section 11(b), including intimidation of voters and those aiding voters.

United States v. Ike Brown and Noxubee County (S.D. Miss. 2005)

On August 27, 2007, the Court entered a remedial order in United States v. Brown (S.D. Miss). On June 29, 2007, the Court entered judgment for the United States. The Court's 104 page opinion held that the Voting Rights Act is a colorblind statute and protects all voters from racial discrimination, regardless of the race of the voter. The Court then ruled that Defendants had an illiegal discriminatory intent to discriminate against white voters. In its complaint, the United States alleged that the practices of local election and party officials discriminate against whites in violation of Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act. The United States entered in a consent decree with the Noxubee County superintendent of general elections, administrator of absentee ballots, registrar, and the county government. The consent decree prohibits a wide range of discriminatory and illegal voting practices, and requires these officials to report such incidents if they receive information that they are continuing. This consent decree was approved by the district court and filed simultaneously with the filing of the complaint.