Federal election monitors not allowed inside Florida voting locations

WE’VE ARRIVED AT ELECTION DAY IN THE U.S. AND THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE PLANS TO MONITOR VOTING LOCATIONS ACROSS 24 STATES.

BUT THE STATE OF FLORIDA ISN’T HAVING IT. WRITING IN A LETTER TO THE DOJ THAT FEDERAL OFFICIALS ARE NOT INCLUDED ON THE LIST OF PEOPLE ALLOWED INSIDE THEIR POLLING PLACES, SAYING QUOTE “EVEN IF THEY DID QUALIFY, IT WOULD BE COUNTERPRODUCTIVE AND COULD POTENTIALLY UNDERMINE CONFIDENCE IN THE ELECTION.”

THE PRACTICE OF MONITORING LOCAL ELECTIONS AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL DATES BACK DECADES BUT WHO EXACTLY ARE THE PEOPLE DOING THE JOB?

WELL, THEY ARE NOT LAW ENFORCEMENT OR FEDERAL AGENTS.

THE MONITORS ARE LAWYERS WHO WORK FOR THE U.S. GOVERNMENT TO WATCH FOR SIGNS OF DISRUPTION WHEN VOTERS ARE CASTING BALLOTS.

THEY’RE GENERALLY SOURCED FROM THE DOJ’S CIVIL RIGHTS DIVISION AND U.S. ATTORNEY’S OFFICES

THE GOVERNMENT WILL ALSO BRING IN EMPLOYEES FROM OTHER AGENCIES BY A FEDERAL COURT ORDER.

IN FLORIDA, EACH COUNTY RUNS ITS OWN ELECTION OFFICE. AND THE THREE COUNTIES THAT DOJ PICKED TO MONITOR ARE RUN BY AN ELECTED DEMOCRATIC OFFICIAL.

THE DOJ SAYS THEY WILL COMPLY WITH FLORIDA’S ORDER AND INDICATE THEY’LL STAY OUTSIDE POLLING LOCATIONS.