Florida stands firm against federal election monitors, citing state law to keep Department of Justice personnel out of polling places.
At a Glance
- DOJ plans to monitor voting rights in four Florida counties on Election Day
- Florida Secretary of State Cord Byrd informs DOJ that state law bars federal monitors from entering polling places
- DOJ observers will remain outside polling locations in targeted counties
- Florida to send its own monitors to prevent interference with the voting process
- Situation highlights tension between state and federal authority in election supervision
Florida Asserts State Authority Over Election Monitoring
In a bold move asserting state sovereignty, Florida has informed the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) that federal election monitors will not be permitted inside polling places during the upcoming election. This stance, taken by Florida Secretary of State Cord Byrd, strengthens the state’s commitment to managing its own electoral process without federal interference.
“As a reminder, Department of Justice monitors are not permitted inside a polling place under Florida law,” Secretary of State Cord Byrd said.
Byrd’s statement comes in response to the DOJ’s announcement that it plans to monitor voting rights in four Florida counties: Broward, Miami-Dade, Orange, and Osceola. This federal initiative is part of a broader effort to ensure compliance with civil rights laws across 86 jurisdictions in 27 states during the November 5 general election.
DOJ’s Monitoring Plans and Florida’s Response
The DOJ’s Civil Rights Division is coordinating the monitoring effort, which involves personnel from various federal departments. However, Florida’s leadership has made it clear that these monitors must operate within the confines of state law.
“We told them that under state law that is not permitted, and we asked them to respect state law,” Byrd explained.
Florida’s position is rooted in state statute 102.031(3)(a), which specifically outlines who may enter polling places. DOJ personnel are not included on this list, and to ensure compliance with state law and prevent any perceived federal overreach, Florida has invoked its authority to send its own monitors to the counties targeted by the DOJ.
Concerns Over Federal Presence and Election Integrity
The pushback against federal monitors is not unique to Florida. GOP leaders in several states have recently opposed such measures, citing concerns about potential intimidation and undermining voter confidence.
“They can go there and do their job, but they have to do that job outside of the polling place,” Byrd stated, emphasizing that federal presence inside voting locations “would be counterproductive and could potentially undermine confidence in the election.”
As voters head to the polls, they can expect to see state-appointed monitors ensuring the integrity of the voting process, while federal observers maintain their presence outside, ready to address any potential violations of federal voting rights laws.
Integrity will likely be a hot topic this election, especially as Donald Trump has already accused Democrats of cheating in battleground Pennsylvania.
