FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE	CR
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 1994	(202) 616-2765
	TDD (202) 514-1888
           ELEVEN FEDERAL OBSERVERS TO MONITOR SATURDAY'S
	PRIMARY ELECTION IN EAST CARROLL PARISH, LOUISIANA


	WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Eleven federal observers will monitor Saturday's
primary election for school board members in East Carroll Parish, Louisiana,
the Justice Department announced today.
	Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division Deval L.
Patrick said previous elections in the county were marred by events that
impeded the full participation of black voters in the electoral process such
as denying black voters their right to be assisted by a person of their choice.
	Two of the races for the nine-member school board involve African
Americans competing against white candidates.  The remainder of the contests
are uncontested or involve candidates of only one race.
	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.  An attorney from the Civil Rights Division will coordinate
federal activities.  
	Voters with complaints in East Carroll Parish can call (318) 559-2188.
Voters throughout Louisiana that have complaints of Voting Rights Act
violations during the primary election can call (504) 589-4320.
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