Voter disenfranchisement

[Sangersteve]

Now why would a candidate need to have a D or R behind their name?

The Rev. Jesse Jackson said the Rainbow PUSH Coalition plans to file a lawsuit in opposition of the city’s non-partisan voting system.

During a media conference held at Springfield Baptist Church on East McBee Avenue on Sunday, Jackson said his lawyers were planning to meet with US Attorney General Eric Holder to file the suit on Monday.

Jackson said Greenville’s plan to eliminate candidates having to list a political party while running for city offices could prevent minorities from being elected.

“It costs more to run non-partisan elections,” Jackson said. “It’s more difficult politically, and non-partisan elections make the process more difficult for minorities to win.”

Jackson said his organization fights any laws that disenfranchise voters.

“(The Greenville law) is a scheme of wiping out voter impact through dissolution,” Jackson said, “and we must fight back.”

The Greenville City Council voted to approve non-partisan elections in future races back in May. Click here to read the full ordinance.