U.S. Seeks Monitors at Polls in Philly

[jpak]

http://www.lasvegassun.com/sunbin/stories/nat-gen/2006/oct/19/101908232.html

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - The federal government has asked a judge to post monitors at city polling places next month to make sure Spanish speakers get proper help when voting.

In a federal lawsuit, the Justice Department accused the city of failing to provide enough election materials in Spanish and failing to recruit enough bilingual poll workers to assist voters who don't speak English well.

The suit, filed last Friday, asked the court to authorize monitors through 2009, and also filed court papers asking that action be taken in time for the Nov. 7 election.

A spokesman for the mayor's office did not immediately return a call for comment Thursday.

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