Voting-Rights Group Calls For Federal Probe Of New Mexico Voter IntimidationA major voting-rights group has sent a letter to New Mexico U.S. Attorney Gregory Fouratt, calling on him to investigate claims of voter intimidation and suppression.
The letter, from the group Project Vote, comes in the wake of reporting by TPMmuckraker and others about a private investigator — who said he was working for Pat Rogers, a lawyer connected to the state GOP — appearing at the homes of Hispanic voters in Albuquerque, and questioning them about their right to vote. In a press release announcing the letter, Project Vote refers directly to these reports.
In its letter, Project Vote — a non-profit voting-rights group that works to increase voting in low-income and minority communities — writes:
This form of intimidation and suppression is in direct violation of Section 12 of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, as well as Section 2. We feel that the right of all Americans to vote is of the utmost importance, and if there is credible evidence of voter intimidation and suppression of a particular class of voters it should be addressed and promptly persecuted.
Fouratt was appointed U.S. Attorney for the district after the 2006 firing of David Iglesias. According to a recent DOJ report, Iglesias was removed for his failure to prosecute voter fraud cases he believed to be bogus.