The US Justice Department has launched an extensive election-monitoring operation across the country, placing federal observers in areas that largely voted for Kamala Harris in the 2024 presidential election, while simultaneously expanding a criminal investigation into an Alaska Senate campaign.
The department announced the deployment of nearly 1,000 election monitors and observers across jurisdictions in all 50 states. An analysis of the locations revealed that roughly two-thirds of the monitored areas had backed Harris over Donald Trump in the previous presidential election.
The concentration of observers in Democratic-leaning jurisdictions has drawn scrutiny, particularly as many of these areas have substantial Black and Latino populations and are located in states where closely contested Senate races could determine the balance of power in Congress.
Federal Election Oversight Draws Voter Intimidation Concerns
The Trump administration has intensified its involvement in election administration, demanding voter-registration records from states and advocating tougher safeguards to protect the integrity of elections.
Its efforts have also extended to the courts. The Justice Department recently approached the US Supreme Court seeking to prevent California from counting mail-in ballots cast by more than 20,000 voters whom federal officials alleged were likely noncitizens. The court rejected the request on Monday night.
Critics have questioned whether the administration’s aggressive approach, including its expanded election-monitoring programme, could discourage or intimidate voters.
Justice Department officials, however, maintain that the deployment is intended to ensure compliance with federal election laws, particularly in areas where voters have historically encountered barriers to voting or faced intimidation.
Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon described the initiative as the largest election-monitoring operation in the department’s history, asserting that it was being carried out transparently and without discrimination.
The scale of the deployment has prompted several states to issue fresh instructions to local election officials and polling staff, clarifying the limited powers available to federal observers on Election Day.
Federal monitors cannot independently launch investigations at polling stations or prevent individuals from casting their ballots.
Some local authorities have also pushed back. Hennepin County, Minnesota, which includes Minneapolis, refused the Justice Department’s request to access polling locations.
Alaska Senate Race Becomes Focus of Expanding Criminal Investigation
Alongside its election-monitoring operation, the Justice Department is widening a criminal investigation into allegations surrounding Alaska’s closely watched Senate contest.
The controversy erupted after reports emerged that the campaign of Democratic candidate Mary Peltola had helped recruit a third-party candidate bearing the same first and last name as her Republican opponent, Dan Sullivan.
Peltola has denied any involvement in the alleged effort.
According to a person familiar with the investigation, the department is now sending letters to more than 20 individuals informing them that they are subjects of the criminal probe.
Among those receiving a letter is Marc Elias, a prominent voting-rights attorney whose law firm frequently represents Democratic candidates and organisations in election-related litigation.
Elias accused the Trump administration of using the Justice Department against political opponents, arguing that the investigation was part of a broader pattern of politically motivated action. He said neither he nor his law firm had been presented with evidence of wrongdoing.
Voting Machine Issue Raises Tensions in New York
Election Day also brought operational concerns in Westchester County, New York, where Republican Representative Mike Lawler is fighting to retain his seat in one of the country’s most competitive congressional districts.
Local election officials indicated that a voting-machine problem could delay ballot counting.
Although technical disruptions are not unusual during elections, the incident quickly became a point of political contention. Some Republicans alleged, without presenting evidence, that the malfunction was part of an effort by Democrats to manipulate the outcome.
Lawler, however, dismissed the suggestion of wrongdoing, saying he had not seen any indication of election-related misconduct.
With federal observers deployed nationwide, a widening criminal investigation in Alaska and voting-related disputes emerging in competitive districts, the midterm elections have unfolded amid heightened political scrutiny of the country’s electoral process.
