FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                          CR
MONDAY, AUGUST 7, 1995                             (202) 616-2765
                                               TDD (202) 514-1888
                                 
       NINETY-ONE FEDERAL OBSERVERS TO MONITOR TUESDAY'S
           PRIMARY ELECTION IN SIX MISSISSIPPI COUNTIES


     WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Ninety-one federal observers will
monitor Tuesday's primary election for state and local offices in
six Mississippi counties, the Justice Department announced today.
     Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division,
Deval L. Patrick, said previous elections in the counties of
Carroll, Monroe, Noxubee, Tallahatchie, Tunica, and Wilkinson
were marred by events that impeded the full participation of
black voters in the electoral process.  These events included
denying black voters their right to be assisted by a person of
their choice. 
     Several of the races for various offices involve African
Americans competing against white candidates.  
     The observers, employees of the Office of Personnel
Management, will watch and record activities during voting hours
at several of the county's polling locations.  Attorneys from the
Civil Rights Division will coordinate federal activities.  
     Voters with complaints of Voting Rights Act violations
during the primary election can call (601) 237-4097.
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