Justice Department to monitor elections

WASHINGTON, Aug. 27 (UPI) -- The U.S. Department of Justice announced Monday it would monitor Aug. 28 elections in Alabama and Arizona to ensure compliance with voting laws.

Federal observers will be sent to Lanett, Reform and Phenix City, Ala., and Maricopa County, Ariz., to ensure polling place activities conform to the Voting Rights Act of 1954, which prohibits discrimination in the election process on the basis of race, color or membership in a minority language group, a Department of Justice news release said.