Feds to ensure voting law compliance in recall elections

MILWAUKEE (AP) -- The U.S. Justice Department says it will monitor elections in Wisconsin and three other states this week to ensure compliance with the Voting Rights Act. The law prohibits discrimination in the election process.

The federal agency said Monday, June 4th it will send federal observers to the city of Milwaukee, which is required to provide assistance in Spanish.

The officials will monitor polling places during Tuesday's recall elections, and Justice Department attorneys will maintain contact with local election officials.

Wisconsin's attorney general also plans to send state investigators and lawyers to the polls to discourage fraud. Those officials will help ensure that voters comply with state election laws.

The federal Justice Department is providing similar monitoring in California, New Mexico and South Dakota, where elections are also being held Tuesday.