Feds will monitor elections in two Texas cities today

May 8, 2009, 9:40PM

DALLAS — The U.S. Department of Justice says it will monitor city elections in Farmers Branch and Hondo today.

Federal officials say they want to make sure the cities comply with the Voting Rights Act but won’t say why those two were chosen.

In the Dallas suburb of Farmers Branch, voters will elect two City Council members and decide on 14 city charter amendments and $55 million in bond propositions.

None of the issues deal with trying to oust illegal immigrants — which has previously caused controversy and prompted lawsuits over an ordinance requiring landlords to verify all tenants are in the U.S. legally.

In the San Antonio suburb of Hondo, the mayor and two City Council are seeking re-election.

There’s also a special recall election for three other council members.

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/met ... 15650.html