NRT briefing
U.S. Judge Allows DOJ Poll Monitors but Orders They Not Be Law Enforcement
Based on reporting by Fox News.
The Brief
U.S. District Judge Reggie Walton denied the NAACP's request to block the Justice Department from sending election monitors to polling places on Election Day, Nov. 3, but ordered the department to ensure the monitors are not sworn law enforcement officers, are unarmed, out of uniform, and display no federal insignia.
The NAACP had sought a temporary restraining order barring personnel from agencies like the ATF, DEA, and Bureau of Prisons, arguing their presence could intimidate voters and violate the Voting Rights Act.
Walton found the NAACP unlikely to succeed on its claim, citing DOJ representations that monitors would be administrative or clerical employees without arrest powers. He also ordered monitors not to interfere with voters or election officials, follow state and local rules, and speak with voters outside polling places only after ballots are cast. The DOJ must file a status report by 7 a.m. ET Tuesday confirming compliance.
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