BOSTON (AP) - The Justice Department says it will be monitoring
municipal elections in Lowell and Springfield to help ensure that
the rights of minority voters are protected.

The department said Monday that officials will be in both cities
for Tuesday's elections.

The announcement comes as activists in both cities have
complained about a lack of minority representation in their city
councils.

Springfield is holding its first municipal election under a new
"ward" system that's expected to benefit minority candidates
following a lawsuit. Springfield is under a federal court order to
provide Spanish-language assistance to voters.

Lowell voters will decide on a referendum that would scrap
Lowell's all-at-large system and replace it with proportional
voting. Supporters say the proposed new system would help elect
minorities to the currently all-white city council.