The Massachusetts secretary of state says he is "calling out" the chief justice of the U.S. Supreme Court for what he calls "deceptive" and "disturbing" remarks about minority voting rates in the state.
In this Oct. 8, 2010 file photo, Chief Justice John Roberts is seen during the group portrait at the Supreme Court Building in Washington.
BOSTON (AP) — The Massachusetts secretary of state says he is "calling out" the chief justice of the U.S. Supreme Court for what he calls "deceptive" and "disturbing" remarks about minority voting rates in the state.
Chief Justice John Roberts made the statements as the high court heard arguments over the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
Roberts asked Solicitor General Donald Verilli if he knew which state has the worst ratio of white voter turnout to African-American voter turnout. Roberts said it was Massachusetts. Roberts later said Massachusetts also had the greatest disparity in registration.
Secretary of State William Galvin, who oversees elections, on Thursday told The Boston Globe (http://bo.st/WlhTdX ) that Roberts was wrong and called his comments a "cheap shot."
A Supreme Court spokeswoman refused to offer supporting evidence of Roberts' comments.
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Information from: The Boston Globe, http://www.boston.com/globe