Congressman Robert C. "Bobby" Scott, (D-VA-3), sent a letter Friday to Attorney General Michael Mukasey concerning requests made by several jurisdictions in the Commonwealth of Virginia for changes to polling procedures. Any such changes require "pre-clearance" by the Department of Justice under the federal Voting Rights Act before they can become effective.
The text of Congressman Scott's letter to the Attorney General is below:
The Honorable Michael B. Mukasey
Attorney General of the United States
U.S. Department of Justice
950 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20530-0001
Dear Attorney General Mukasey:
I understand that there have been several requests for pre-clearance, under the Voting Rights Act requirements, of polling procedure changes by jurisdictions in Virginia for the upcoming presidential election. I write to request a list of the jurisdictions that have requested such changes together with the changes they requested and any actions you have taken on those requests.
I am also requesting that you respond to this letter no later than Friday, October 24, 2008.
Very truly yours,
ROBERT C. "BOBBY" SCOTT
Member of Congress