DOJ to Deploy Election Monitors in California and New Jersey

The Department of Justice (DOJ) is set to send federal election monitors to California and New Jersey next month. This decision follows formal requests from state Republican parties, who have expressed concerns about election integrity in these Democratic-leaning states. The monitoring will occur during off-year elections scheduled for November 4, 2024.

In a statement, the DOJ announced that it plans to oversee polling sites in **Passaic County**, New Jersey, as well as **Los Angeles, Orange, Kern, Riverside**, and **Fresno Counties** in California. The initiative aims to ensure “transparency, ballot security, and compliance with federal law.” Attorney General **Pamela Bondi** emphasized the importance of confidence in the electoral process, stating, “Transparency at the polls translates into faith in the electoral process.”

Election monitoring is a standard practice for the DOJ, especially in jurisdictions with historical voting rights violations. The focus on California and New Jersey comes as both states prepare for elections that could have national implications. New Jersey is facing a competitive gubernatorial race, while California will hold a special election to modify its congressional map in response to previous gerrymandering efforts.

Both states’ Republican parties have pushed for this federal oversight. A letter from the California Republican Party requested monitors to observe the elections in the five counties, citing reports of irregularities in past elections that could undermine voter participation and confidence in the results. Specifically, the letter noted issues such as the distribution of incorrect or duplicate ballots, as well as concerns regarding the maintenance of voter rolls in **Los Angeles** and **Orange Counties**.

California’s upcoming vote includes a significant redistricting proposition that could increase the number of Democratic seats in the U.S. House of Representatives. The GOP has raised alarms about the integrity of the voting process in these counties, claiming that the potential for irregularities could impact the election’s outcome.

In New Jersey, the Republican State Committee has made similar demands, urging the DOJ to monitor vote-by-mail ballot processing in **Passaic County**. They highlighted a “long and sordid history” of issues related to voting in the area, including past voter fraud cases. A notable incident occurred in **2020**, when a judge mandated a new election for a city council seat after allegations of fraud surfaced in **Paterson**, the largest city in Passaic County.

Despite these requests, New Jersey Attorney General **Matt Platkin** has expressed concerns about federal involvement, stating that it would be inappropriate for the federal government to interfere in state elections. He reaffirmed New Jersey’s commitment to ensuring election integrity and protecting the rights of eligible voters.

The DOJ’s election monitoring will be managed by Harmeet Dhillon, head of the Civil Rights Division, which will coordinate efforts with U.S. attorney’s offices and local officials. The department has a long-standing history of sending monitors to various jurisdictions across the country, particularly where voting rights violations have been reported.

While concerns about voter fraud persist, experts maintain that such occurrences are rare and emphasize the safeguards in place to prevent them. **David Becker**, a former DOJ attorney, noted that election monitoring typically involves department lawyers who do not interfere at polling locations. He pointed out that local jurisdictions generally cooperate with monitors’ presence to ensure compliance with electoral rules.

As the DOJ prepares for these critical elections, the deployment of monitors aims to uphold the integrity of the electoral process in two states that have seen an uptick in partisan scrutiny over election practices.