DOJ Deploys Election Monitors to New Jersey and California

The Department of Justice (DOJ) is set to send federal election monitors to California and New Jersey next month. This decision follows requests from state Republican parties and focuses on ensuring transparency, ballot security, and compliance with federal law during the upcoming elections on November 4, 2024. The DOJ plans to monitor polling locations in Passaic County, New Jersey, and five counties in California: Los Angeles, Orange, Kern, Riverside, and Fresno.

According to Attorney General Pamela Bondi, “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.” This announcement is significant as it comes during a period when both states are set to hold closely watched elections with potential national implications.

New Jersey is confronting an open gubernatorial seat that has attracted substantial financial contributions from both political parties. Meanwhile, California’s special election aims to alter the state’s congressional map, potentially adding up to five Democratic seats ahead of the 2026 midterms. The DOJ’s monitoring actions are perceived in the context of the Republican Party’s ongoing focus on election integrity, particularly following former President Donald Trump‘s persistent claims of widespread voter fraud during the last election cycle.

The request for monitoring in California was formalized in a letter from the California Republican Party, sent on October 30, 2024. GOP Chairwoman Corrin Rankin expressed concerns over reported irregularities in recent elections, stating that these issues could undermine voter confidence. The letter highlighted problems such as the issuance of incorrect or duplicate ballots and questioned the maintenance of voter rolls in Los Angeles and Orange counties.

California’s upcoming vote on a redistricting proposition aims to reshape congressional districts in a manner that could diminish Republican influence. The DOJ’s interest in these counties is part of a broader inquiry into voting rights compliance, as California is one of at least eight states currently under scrutiny by the DOJ regarding voter roll information.

In a parallel move, Republican officials in New Jersey have also reached out to the DOJ, requesting monitors to oversee the processing of mail-in ballots and to ensure access to the Board of Elections in suburban Passaic County. They have raised alarms about a history of voting issues in the area, especially following a judge’s decision in 2020 to mandate a new election in Paterson due to voter fraud allegations.

New Jersey Attorney General Matt Platkin responded to these concerns by asserting that it would be inappropriate for federal authorities to intervene in the state’s upcoming election. He emphasized New Jersey’s commitment to election integrity and the protection of eligible voters’ rights.

The DOJ has a history of deploying observers to areas with past voting rights violations to guarantee adherence to federal civil rights laws. This initiative will be coordinated by Harmeet Dhillon, head of the DOJ’s Civil Rights Division, in collaboration with U.S. attorney’s offices. The department is also inviting requests for monitoring from other jurisdictions, indicating a proactive approach to uphold electoral integrity nationwide.

David Becker, a former DOJ attorney and current executive director of the Center for Election Integrity & Research, noted that while local jurisdictions typically welcome monitors, any attempt to impose them in areas where officials oppose their presence could lead to complications. Observers from both political parties are already present at election sites to ensure that regulations are followed, and while voter fraud does occur, it remains a rare occurrence due to multiple safeguards in place.

As the elections approach, the implication of federal monitoring in these key states raises questions about the balance between ensuring integrity and avoiding unnecessary federal interference in state matters. The engagement of the DOJ reflects ongoing tensions in U.S. electoral politics, particularly as both parties prepare for the next significant electoral cycle.