Florida Rejects DOJ Election Monitors Amid Largest Voting Rights Oversight in Two Decades

Nov 1, 2024, 08:39 PM

The U.S. Department of Justice announced on Friday that it will monitor compliance with federal voting rights laws in 86 jurisdictions across 27 states during the upcoming November 5 election. This marks the largest deployment of election monitors in two decades, amid growing concerns over improper partisan influence and voter suppression. The monitored jurisdictions include four Florida counties—Broward, Miami-Dade, Orange, and Osceola; Allegheny, Luzerne, and Philadelphia counties in Pennsylvania; Arizona; and eight cities in Massachusetts. However, Florida Secretary of State Cord Byrd responded to the DOJ's plan by asserting, "As a reminder, Department of Justice monitors are not permitted inside a polling place under Florida law," citing Section 102.031(3)(a) of the Florida Statutes, which lists authorized individuals allowed in polling areas.