Florida has reiterated to the Department of Justice (DOJ) that federal election monitors are not permitted within polling stations in the state.
The friendly reminder comes after the DOJ’s Civil Rights Division very publicly declared that agents will be deployed across 27 states to ensure adherence to federal voting rights legislation.
According to a DOJ press release from Friday, “The Justice Department enforces federal voting rights laws that protect the rights of all eligible citizens to access the ballot. The department regularly deploys its staff to monitor for compliance with federal civil rights laws in elections in communities all across the country.”
“The Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division will coordinate the effort. Monitors will include personnel from the Civil Rights Division, other department divisions, U.S. Attorney’s Offices and federal observers from the Office of Personnel Management. Throughout Election Day, division personnel will maintain contact with state and local election officials,” the DOJ explained.
In response to the DOJ’s announcement, the Florida Department of State shared a letter sent to the federal government, reminding them that their agents wouldn’t be welcome in the Sunshine State.
https://t.co/C4bC95Djpr pic.twitter.com/iFmW9OZdTt
— Florida Department of State (@FLSecofState) November 1, 2024
Secretary of State Cord Byrd pointed out that, “Department of Justice monitors are not permitted inside a polling place under Florida law. Section 102.031(3)(a) of the Florida Statues lists the people who ‘may enter any polling room or polling place.’ Department of Justice personnel are not included on the list.”
Byrd further noted, “Even if they could qualify as ‘law enforcement’ under section 102.031(3)(a)6 of the Florida Statues, absent some evidence concerning the need for federal intrusion, or some federal statute that preempts federal law, the presence of federal law enforcement inside polling places would be counterproductive and could potentially undermine confidence in the election.”
For oversight, Florida will dispatch its own election monitors to polling locations on Tuesday to ensure state election laws are upheld.
