The National Commission on the Voting Rights Act held a hearing in Rapid City, South Dakota, to take testimony about discrimination in voting.

Indian representatives and other witnesses said that Indians still suffer discrimination at the polls. They called for more education of poll workers and assistance for people with limited knowledge of English. Among those who testified were Raymond Uses The Knife, the vice chairman of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe; Laurette Pourier, the director of the Society for the Advancement of Native Interests Today; and former Sen. Tom Daschle (D-South Dakota).

The commission is preparing the report for Congress in advance of the reauthorization of the Voting Rights Act. Some provisions are set to expire in 2007.

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Panel Holds Hearing On Voting Rights (AP 9/12)
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