DOJ to Send Federal Election Monitors to Seven Michigan Cities on Nov. 3; State AG Says Monitors Only Observe
The Civil Rights Division of the U.S. Department of Justice has notified seven Michigan cities that federal election monitors will be present at their polling places on Election Day, November 3. Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel confirmed in an October 22 statement that the seven communities are Detroit, East Lansing, Flint, Grand Rapids, Hamtramck, Lansing and Warren.
In an October 21 email to the East Lansing city clerk, DOJ attorney James Catania wrote that the Civil Rights Division's monitors "only observe" and "do not intrude or interfere in any way in the voting process," and that they work to ensure compliance with federal voting laws including the National Voter Registration Act and the Help America Vote Act. The monitors, mostly DOJ attorneys and staff, may not speak with voters or handle election equipment or ballots. Governor Gretchen Whitmer and Deputy Secretary of State Aghogho Edevbie both described federal monitors as a standard part of the election process, noting that state and local officials have been in regular contact with the DOJ. Nessel added that her office stands ready to hold accountable anyone who unlawfully interferes with or intimidates voters or election workers. The DOJ previously sent monitors to Detroit, Lansing and East Lansing for the August primary.
Michigan is a battleground state in this year's midterm elections; on November 3 its voters will choose a new governor and a U.S. senator.
Source: GSM·USA
Source: GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 密歇根州 Detroit 市天际线。图片：CC BY-SA 4.0，取自维基共享资源。
