DOJ to Monitor Michigan Polls Ahead of Primary Election
In a move aimed at ensuring “transparency” and “ballot security,” the Department of Justice (DOJ) has announced its plans to oversee polling places in four cities in Michigan before the state’s primary election.
According to Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson and Attorney General Dana Nessel, the DOJ sent out notifications to Detroit, Hamtramck, Lansing, and East Lansing in late June. This was to inform these cities that election monitors would be present at polling locations for the upcoming primary on August 4th.
Staff from the DOJ’s Civil Rights Division’s Voting Section, along with personnel from Michigan’s United States Attorney’s Offices, will be tasked with observing polling sites. Their goal is to ensure that federal voting laws are being upheld, as noted in a statement from the DOJ.
Being a key swing state, Michigan often garners significant national attention during election cycles. Because of this, federal election security measures in the state are scrutinized closely, often influencing similar initiatives in other states.
“Our primary monitoring efforts continue today as we seek to ensure free and fair elections nationwide,” said Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “The Department of Justice is devoting extensive resources to ensure uniform and nondiscriminatory monitoring. We appreciate the cooperation of these jurisdictions in promoting trust and transparency.”
The presence of federal monitors is expected to help protect the integrity of the elections and ensure adherence to federal voting rights laws. However, it’s important to note that these monitors can only observe polling operations; they do not conduct elections or interact directly with voters.
“Transparency promotes both trust and better behavior in election administration,” mentioned U.S. Attorney Timothy VerHey for the Western District of Michigan. “Our office is always going to be ready to lead in promoting free and fair elections.”
The DOJ’s Civil Rights Division Voting Section routinely assigns staff to monitor adherence to federal civil rights laws during elections across various communities in the country.
“We know that there may be some observers here, but we are observing the observers to make sure that your vote is secure and you are able to vote,” stated Reverend Dr. Wendell Anthony, president of the Detroit National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) on Tuesday morning.
