Texas AG Paxton Sues to Block DOJ Election Monitors in Eight Counties

Nov 4, 2024, 09:50 PM

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) announced on Friday plans to deploy federal election monitors to polling stations in 27 states on Election Day to ensure compliance with federal voting rights laws, including eight counties in Texas. However, several Republican-led states, including Texas, Missouri, and Florida, are opposing this initiative. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has informed the DOJ that federal election monitors are not permitted inside polling places in the state and has deployed an Election Day Rapid Response Legal Team to enforce Texas election laws and address any contingencies. Paxton also filed a lawsuit against the DOJ, accusing the Biden-Harris Administration of "lawless intimidation." Similarly, Missouri Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft and Attorney General sued to block the DOJ from sending monitors to polling locations in St. Louis, even though the city's election board agreed to permit it. Florida officials have also stated that DOJ monitors cannot enter polling sites in the state.