Election Oversight: DOJ Sends 1,000 Monitors to Polls Nationwide
Federal observers visited voting sites in three Louisiana cities Tuesday, marking the first time the Justice Department has monitored such a wide range of locations in a single election.
By Ella Cox ·
The U.S. Department of Justice placed 1,000 monitors at polling locations across all 50 states on Tuesday. This marks the first time in American history that the agency has observed such a broad number of sites during a single election. The midterms are currently underway, with control of Congress in play.
In Louisiana, federal observers arrived at voting sites in New Orleans, Baton Rouge, and Lafayette. Local election officials described the visits as unusual but noted that the monitors primarily asked questions of staff. No major issues were reported in the state.
Danae Columbus, a spokesperson for the Orleans Parish Clerk of Court, said monitors moved between several locations in New Orleans. They first stopped at Hynes Elementary School in Lakeview. They then visited Bricolage Academy in Treme and the Guste apartment complex in Central City. At each site, staff received brief inquiries.
Columbus quoted the monitors asking, “What kind of training do you have?” and “Do you speak more than one language so you can assist voters?” The Justice Department stated in a press release that the monitors would be on the ground in these three cities.
Harmeet Dhillon, chief of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division, said the effort involves lawyers, local attorneys, and federal Office of Personnel Management employees. He described the goal as “pursuing transparency for elections in an assertive and nondiscriminatory manner.” The monitors are tasked with observing, taking notes, and asking questions.
In Baton Rouge, elections administrator Brandon Abadie confirmed that two monitors visited Baton Rouge Fire Station No. 12 on Government Street. He said “everything was good” and that there had been “no issues.” In Lafayette, Clerk of Court Louis Perret said the observers arrived at Lafayette High School on Tuesday morning.
Perret, who has served in his role for 28 years, said the presence of federal observers was a first for him. He noted that the monitors are dressed in civilian clothing and hold federal IDs. They are not permitted to enter voting booths or speak with voters. Perret added, “It’s not normal. It’s the first time I’ve experienced it and I’ve been here 28 years.”
