DOJ deploys election monitors in all 50 states for first time
The Justice Department says about 1,000 monitors and observers are working in selected jurisdictions nationwide to check voting-rights compliance.
By Deshawn Carter · Sports Writer
2 min read
The DOJ election monitors all 50 states operation is underway, with the Justice Department saying it deployed about 1,000 monitors and observers on Nov. 3 in its first monitoring effort to reach every state.
The department called it its largest election-monitoring deployment. The Civil Rights Division is coordinating the work, with staff from the division, other Justice Department components, U.S. Attorney’s Offices and federal observers from the Office of Personnel Management.
What are DOJ election monitors checking for?
They are not running polling places or counting ballots. DOJ said the monitors are checking whether jurisdictions comply with federal voting-rights laws overseen by the Civil Rights Division, while division staff remain in contact with state and local election officials through Election Day.
The department’s Voting Section enforces civil provisions in laws including the Voting Rights Act, National Voter Registration Act, Help America Vote Act, Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act and Civil Rights Acts.
DOJ said its Disability Rights Section enforces the Americans with Disabilities Act so people with disabilities have a full and equal opportunity to vote. Its Criminal Section handles federal laws barring voter intimidation and voter suppression based on race, color, national origin or religion.
Does every polling place have a monitor?
No. A DOJ presence in all 50 states does not mean monitors are stationed at every polling place. The department published a state-by-state list of selected jurisdictions where it intended to monitor or observe, from major cities and counties to smaller local areas.
The department said it has sent election monitors under administrations of both parties since the Voting Rights Act became law in 1965. This deployment is the first time, according to DOJ, that its monitoring or observation has extended to every state in one election effort.
How can voters report election problems?
For questions or complaints involving federal voting-rights laws, DOJ directed the public to call 1-800-253-3931, email [email protected] or file a report through the Civil Rights Division’s online complaint channel.
Problems disrupting a polling place should be reported to local election officials, DOJ said. Anyone facing violence, threats of violence or intimidation should contact local police immediately by calling 911, then report the matter to the department.
This story draws on original reporting from NBC News.