The Justice Department will send monitors to 24 states to ensure compliance with federal voting rights laws in Tuesday’s elections. The action comes as civil rights groups and the federal government have raised alarm over potential voter intimidation at some polling places and ballot boxes. The 64 jurisdictions where federal monitors will be dispatched include the three Florida counties of Broward, Miami-Dade, and Palm Beach.
The DOJ said Monday that the monitors are being sent to protect the rights of voters as they have for decades: “Since the passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, the Civil Rights Division has regularly monitored elections in the field in jurisdictions around the country to protect the rights of voters. The Civil Rights Division will also take complaints from the public nationwide regarding possible violations of the federal voting rights laws through its call center.”
The DOJ said: “Complaints related to disruption at a polling place should always be reported immediately to local election officials (including officials in the polling place). Complaints related to violence, threats of violence or intimidation at a polling place should be reported immediately to local police authorities by calling 911.” On Election Day, the public may report possible violations of the federal voting rights laws by a complaint form on the department’s website or by telephone toll-free at 800-253-3931.
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