http://ozarkspub.vo.llnwd.net/o37/KSMU/audio/mp3/votingrigh_1351.mp3
The Justice Department has sued Missouri for alleged voting rights violations. KSMU's Missy Shelton reports.
The Justice Department has sued Missouri for alleged voting rights violations.
The lawsuit, filed today claims Missouri election officials have failed to keep accurate and up-to-date voter registration lists.
As a result, some people may still be listed as voters even after they have died or moved. And others may have been taken off the voter rolls prematurely.
The lawsuit cites the fact that voter rolls in Missouri are longer than the actual number of voting-age residents in some counties.
Secretary of State Robin Carnahan, who took office in 2004 says she inherited this problem.
She says since her office is working on the problem, it's strange that the federal government has filed a lawsuit.
Carnahan says 29 counties had problems with their voter lists in 2004.
She says there have been no allegations of fraud in those elections related to incorrect voter lists.
The Justice Department is seeking a declaration that Missouri is in violation of federal law and a court order that it develop a plan within 30 days to correct the violations.