Justice Dept. To Deploy Federal Election Observers And Monitors

The Justice Department will deploy more than 800 federal observers and monitors to voting sites in 23 states to make sure voters' federal rights are not violated on election day.

While many of the problems that may occur in what is expected to be a record turnout next Tuesday will come under the purview of state and local officials since they have the primary responsibility for running elections, the federal government is responsible for making sure federal laws are not violated. The primary law in question is the Voting Rights Act, which bans intimidation based on race, color, or religion. The department will also investigate and prosecute cases of voter fraud. Read more >