Q: Was there a consent decree signed in 1982 by both major political parties that disallowed any official protest about election results due to voter fraud or integrity?
—Jerome Jernigan, Atlanta
A: The Republican and Democratic national committees agreed to a consent decree in 1982 that allowed a "federal court to review proposed 'ballot security' programs, including any proposed voter caging," according to the Brennan Center for Justice at New York University School of Law. The consent decree stemmed from "allegations that Republicans had attempted to intimidate and suppress black and Hispanic voters in New Jersey in violation of the Voting Rights Act" that year, The Christian Science Monitor reported Monday. The U.S. Supreme Court earlier this week refused to lift the consent decree, as petitioned by the Republican National Committee (RNC). The RNC has tried to have the consent decree lifted, including in November 2008, but has been denied each time, according to published reports.
Q: What happened to Wendy Saltzman, who was a reporter on Channel 46?
—Jerome Bernhardt, Marietta
A: Saltzman joined Philadelphia's 6ABC Action News (WPVI) in December after more than seven years at CBS Atlanta, where she was part of that station's investigative news team. Saltzman was hired to launch 6ABC Action News' investigative team, she told Q&A on the News in an email. Saltzman can be followed through her Twitter account at @WendySaltzman.
Andy Johnston wrote this column. Do you have a question about the news? We’ll try to get the answer. Call 404-222-2002 or email q&a@ajc.com (include name, phone and city).
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