Connecticut Secretary Thomas: Federal Election Monitors Not Authorized Inside New Haven Polling Places Under State Law
In New Haven, New Haven County, Connecticut, Secretary of the State Stephanie Thomas issued a statement on October 30 responding to the U.S. Department of Justice's plan to send federal election monitors to New Haven on Election Day, November 3.
Thomas noted that Connecticut General Statutes § 9-236 clearly defines who is permitted inside a polling place, and federal DOJ election monitors are not among those authorized to enter. Like other members of the public, the monitors may observe from outside the 75-foot restricted area, and the same rules apply to everyone, she said.
According to the statement, the DOJ plans to send two teams of two monitors to observe compliance with federal voting rights laws, focusing on language assistance and accessibility for voters with disabilities, and assured the state that monitors will follow state rules, remain outside the restricted area, not interfere with voting and not carry firearms. Representatives of the Secretary's office, the City of New Haven and the state Attorney General's Office met with DOJ officials to review what Connecticut law permits at polling places.
Thomas also assured voters that polling places in New Haven and across Connecticut are ready to welcome every eligible voter. The statement was publicly released on October 31, the last weekend before the November 3 election.
Source: GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 图：康涅狄格州议会大厦（哈特福德）。12019摄，CC0，经Wikimedia Commons。 / The Connecticut State Capitol in Hartford. Photo by 12019, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons.
