DOJ sues Houston County over alleged Voting Rights Act violations
The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has filed a lawsuit against Houston County, alleging that the county’s at-large method of electing members to the Board of Commissioners violates the Voting Rights Act, according to a DOJ news release.
HOUSTON COUNTY, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) filed a lawsuit against Houston County on Thursday, alleging that the county’s at-large method of electing members to the Board of Commissioners violates the Voting Rights Act.
The lawsuit alleges that the at-large voting system gives Black citizens less opportunity than other voters to participate in the political process and elect candidates of their choice. Black residents make up more than 31% of Houston County’s voting-age population, the DOJ said, calling the Black population “sizable” and “growing.” According to the lawsuit, only one Black candidate, Houston Porter, has been elected to the Houston County Board of Commissioners since Reconstruction. Porter, elected in 1980, served three terms before stepping down in 1992.
The complaint, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Georgia, seeks a court-ordered change to the county’s election method, such as implementing single-member districts.
“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 DOJ news release stated.
“The Voting Rights Act guarantees that all eligible citizens have an equal opportunity to participate in the democratic process and to elect representatives of their choice, regardless of race or ethnicity,” said Kristen Clarke, assistant attorney general of the DOJ’s Civil Rights Division.
In response, the Houston County Board of Commissioners issued a news release stating that the DOJ notified the county of its multi-year investigation on December 19, 2024, with a two-page letter requesting a response within two weeks. County officials said they began their own investigation and met with DOJ representatives on January 8 to gather more information.
“Importantly, the DOJ lawsuit does not contain any allegations of intentional racial discrimination in Houston County,” the county’s statement reads.
The county said it’s committed to following the law and said it would review the allegations and evidence thoroughly.
“If we determine 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 release states.
Houston County also criticized the DOJ’s timing.
“While DOJ felt the need to file its lawsuit prior to the change of administrations in Washington, we did not feel it would be prudent to respond in fewer than 30 days to a multi-year investigation,” the county’s release stated.
The Justice Department said it looks forward to continued discussions with Houston County to bring the county “toward resolution of this matter.”
For more information about voting rights or to file a complaint, visit www.justice.gov/voting or call 1-800-253-3931.
