The Justice Department deployed roughly 1,000 election monitors and observers across all 50 states on Tuesday, in what the department’s Civil Rights Division is calling the largest such effort in its history.
“Today, the DOJ will further this mission by engaging in its largest monitoring effort in history — with approximately 1,000 election monitors and observers deployed, and, for the first time, in all 50 states,” the department said in a statement.
Officials said the monitors would focus on competitive races and areas with a history of voting issues, staying in contact with local election workers throughout the day. The deployment is roughly triple the number of monitors sent during the last midterm elections.
“Election integrity has been one of the top priorities for this Administration and this Division,” said Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon of the Civil Rights Division. “I am very proud we are deploying the largest monitoring effort in DOJ history, and pursuing transparency for elections in an assertive and nondiscriminatory manner.”
The Civil Rights Division also posted on social media: “Happy Election Day! @CivilRights is sending 1,000+ monitors & observers to all 50 states to help ensure a free & fair election. Every American’s vote should count. If you see any issue, report it to your local election officials or the Division at 1-800-253-3931 or [email protected].”
Pushback from Democrats and civil rights groups
Democrats and civil rights organizations have raised concerns that the expanded federal presence could intimidate voters. The NAACP has gone to court arguing that the presence of federal personnel at polling places could deter people from casting ballots.
House Judiciary Democrats, led by Ranking Members Jamie Raskin and Joseph Morelle, have opened an investigation into the monitoring program, citing what they described as “aggressive, unexpected, and disruptive” conduct by DOJ monitors during Wyoming’s primary.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom has criticized the oversight effort and has threatened to criminalize ballot monitoring.
Rep. Grace Meng, D-N.Y., wrote on social media: “Free and fair elections require voters to cast ballots without intimidation. Federal monitors must protect that right — not undermine it. Democrats will fight to ensure every eligible vote is counted. The DOJ must answer for any interference.”
Some polling places have posted signs stating that federal agents are not permitted on the premises, according to posts circulating online.
DOJ defends the program’s history
The Justice Department has used election monitors since 1965 under administrations of both parties. “One of the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) most important missions is ensuring election integrity, supporting free and fair elections, and protecting the right to vote for U.S. citizens across the United States,” the department said.
Dhillon has previously defended the expanded effort, saying it is routine for the department to observe polling sites and that doing so helps address existing distrust stemming from past voting irregularities. In an appearance on “60 Minutes,” she said sending monitors to polling places does not sow distrust in elections but rather helps repair distrust already present in the system.
The monitoring push comes the same week the Justice Department announced charges against 63 people in election-related cases, many involving noncitizens accused of illegally voting or falsely claiming U.S. citizenship. It also follows earlier deployments, including monitors sent to Detroit and other Michigan cities during the August primaries over longstanding concerns about fraud in those jurisdictions.
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