DOJ sends federal election watchers to California and New Jersey counties amid Republican requests
The U.S. Justice Department (DOJ) has announced its plans to deploy federal election watchers to California and New Jersey for the upcoming elections, a move that has sparked significant debate and controversy. In New Jersey, the election is particularly notable as it features an open seat for governor, following the departure of Democrat Gov. Phil Murphy. Meanwhile, California voters will face a critical ballot measure aimed at redrawing the state’s congressional map to favor Democrats, a response to Republican-led redistricting efforts in states like Texas. U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi emphasized the importance of transparency at the polls, stating that the DOJ is committed to maintaining high standards of election integrity. The observers will be stationed in key counties, including Passaic County in New Jersey and several counties in California, to ensure compliance with federal laws and to bolster confidence in the electoral process.
The decision to send federal observers comes in response to requests from the Republican parties in both states, citing concerns over potential irregularities that could undermine voter participation and confidence in the election outcomes. For instance, California GOP Chairwoman Corrin Rankin expressed worries about past irregularities in counties like Los Angeles and Fresno, while New Jersey’s GOP highlighted a “long and sordid history” of vote-by-mail fraud in heavily Latino Passaic County, which has shown shifting political allegiances in recent years. However, this federal intervention has drawn sharp criticism from Democrats. California Governor Gavin Newsom’s office condemned the move as an intimidation tactic aimed at suppressing voter turnout, asserting that the DOJ has no legitimate reason to interfere in what they argue is a state election matter. New Jersey Attorney General Matt Platkin echoed these sentiments, calling the DOJ’s actions “highly inappropriate” and lacking a valid justification.
Despite the pushback, local officials maintain that election observers are a standard practice meant to ensure the integrity of the voting process. Los Angeles County Clerk Dean Logan reassured voters that their ballots would be handled securely and counted accurately, emphasizing the county’s ongoing efforts to verify voter records. Historically, the DOJ has deployed federal observers to areas with a history of voting rights violations, a practice that has seen its share of controversy, especially in light of previous tensions surrounding federal oversight in elections. As the election date approaches, the presence of federal watchers is likely to remain a focal point of discussion, reflecting broader national debates about election integrity, voter suppression, and the role of federal oversight in state elections.
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The U.S. Justice Department (DOJ) on Friday said it plans to send federal election watchers to California and New Jersey for their closely watched elections next month.
New Jersey, has an open seat for governor as Gov.
Phil Murphy
, a Democrat, prepares to leave office.
California has a ballot measure aimed at redrawing the state’s congressional map in favor of Democrats to counter states like Texas that has redrawn its map to help Republicans.
”
Transparency at the polls
translates into faith in the electoral process, and this Department of Justice is committed to upholding the highest standards of election integrity,” U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi said in a statement to The Associated Press.
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Fox News Digital has reached out to the
DOJ
for comment.
Bondi added that the goal of the
election observers in Passaic County
, New Jersey, as well as Los Angeles, Orange, Kern, Riverside and Fresno counties in California, is to “ensure transparency, ballot security, and compliance with federal law.”
The Republican parties in both states requested federal observers.
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“In recent elections, we have received reports of irregularities in these counties that we fear will undermine either the willingness of voters to participate in the election or their confidence in the announced results of the election,”
California GOP Chairwoman Corrin Rankin
wrote in a letter to Harmeet Dhillon, who leads the DOJ’s Civil Rights Division, on Monday.
The
New Jersey GOP sent a similar letter
about Passaic County, which is heavily Latino and once favored Democrats, but voted for President
Donald Trump
in 2024.
The state GOP alleged a “long and sordid history” of vote-by-mail fraud.
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Democrats in both states have pushed back against the decision though.
California Gov.
Gavin Newsom
’s office blasted it as an “intimidation tactic.”
“This is not a federal election,” his office wrote on X. “The
US DOJ
has no business or basis to interfere with this election. This is solely about whether California amends our state constitution. This administration has made no secret of its goal to undermine free and fair elections. Deploying these federal forces appears to be an intimidation tactic meant for one thing: suppress the vote.”
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New Jersey Attorney General Matt Platkin called the move “highly inappropriate” and said the DOJ “has not even attempted to identify a legitimate basis for its actions.”
Los Angeles County Clerk Dean Logan said election observers are standard practice across the country and that the county, with 5.8 million registered voters, is continuously updating and verifying its voter records.
“Voters can have confidence their
ballot is handled securely
and counted accurately,” he said.
Local election observers from both parties already exist, and the
DOJ often sends federal observers
to counties which have a history of voting rights violations.
Last year for the presidential election, Republicans in some states said they wouldn’t allow federal elections observers into certain areas while former President
Joe Biden
was still in office.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Eric
Eric is a seasoned journalist covering US Politics news.
