Democrats, DOJ, RNC and House Republicans plan large Election Day monitoring for US midterms

Mixed · 2Democrats, nonprofit groups, the Justice Department, the Republican National Committee and House Republicans are all preparing large observer operations for the US midterm Election Day, an AP report carried by ABC News said. 1 2 Left · 1On the Democratic side, state parties have trained an estimated 10,000 volunteers, Common Cause has trained roughly 16,000 more, and a coalition of 300 other groups has trained tens of thousands, according to the AP. The Democratic National Committee has also created a cybersecurity unit of former CIA and FBI officials to track online misinformation, including AI deepfakes, said DNC vice chair Jane Kleeb. 1 Left · 1AP reported that these groups are motivated by fears that President Donald Trump will use federal resources to interfere with the election. Kleeb cited Trump saying he may seize ballots and put ICE agents outside polling locations. Democratic officials have also held tabletop exercises simulating such scenarios. 1

Left · 1The administration says it has no such plans. Harmeet Dhillon, who leads the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division, said on CBS's "60 Minutes" that "There is no plan to do that" regarding ICE agents at polling places. White House spokeswoman Lauren Bis blamed "radical Democrats" for stoking fears and said Trump has done more than any other president to ensure free and fair elections. 1 Left · 1The Justice Department plans its largest-ever election monitoring effort, with about 1,000 staff, spokesperson Kiersten Pels said. According to a senior department official, monitors will go to every state, focusing on high-population areas, jurisdictions with past problems and close districts. The department says they will not be armed or interfere with voting. In the primaries, Wyoming's Republican governor, Mark Gordon, called the behaviour of two monitors "a bit aggressive" and "irregular"; the department disagrees that they did anything improper. The department has also filed lawsuits in California and Alaska that could affect ballot counting or certification. 1 Left · 1The RNC said it is deploying "election integrity deputy state directors" in 22 states, including Arizona, Michigan, Georgia and North Carolina, has enlisted nearly 22,000 poll workers, and is recruiting poll watchers for competitive districts. 1

Right · 1Fox News reported that the House Committee on House Administration runs an annual election watcher program. Chairman Rep. Bryan Steil, R-Wis., called this year's version "the most robust program the House has ever done", aimed at districts where races are expected to be close. 2 Right · 1Steil said observers will document what they see and stay in contact with the committee on Election Day so it can deploy resources for court challenges if needed. Fox said their records could lead to recounts or lawsuits. Steil criticised California's election policy, including its acceptance of ballots arriving after polls close. Fox said observers' roles are protected under the Confirmation of Congressional Observer Access Act of 2024 and that any House staffer except interns can join. Democrats may run their own program but not in coordination with Republicans. 2 Left · 1AP noted that many groups cannot legally coordinate, and some officials worry about unintended chaos outside polls. Lansing, Michigan, city clerk Chris Swope said he contacted law enforcement and an attorney as a precaution. The Democratic Mayors Association issued guidance noting that federal law bars immigration agents, the FBI or other investigative personnel from polling places. 1