DOJ Dispatches Over 1,000 Federal Observers to Polls Nationwide

The Department of Justice will deploy more than 1,000 election monitors to polling places across all 50 states on Tuesday, Nov. 3. This nationwide deployment marks a major expansion of federal oversight compared to the 2022 midterm elections, when observers were stationed in only 64 jurisdictions across 24 states.

In Cass County, the most populous county in North Dakota, federal observers will visit up to seven polling locations. Sarah Heinle, the county's head election official, confirmed the plan during a call with DOJ officials on Friday, Oct. 30. She stated the monitors will spend approximately one hour at each site to ensure adherence to federal election laws.

The federal team intends to verify that express voting options are available and that polling places allow requested assistance for voters. Heinle noted that the monitors will follow standard state observer laws. She compared their presence to that of the ACLU or the League of Women Voters, groups that regularly monitor local polls.

North Dakota Secretary of State Michael Howe also joined the Friday call with federal officials. He expressed confidence that the monitors will not interrupt voting processes. Howe emphasized that DOJ officials were informed they cannot interact with voters within 100 feet of a polling location, a rule he clarified to ensure the monitors remain unobtrusive.

Other groups will also monitor voting in the state. Jacqueline De León, a senior staff attorney for the Native American Rights Fund, said the organization will send 18 observers to nine locations in North Dakota. These watchers will focus on areas with large Native American populations to check if tribal IDs are accepted and if voters face long travel distances.

The League of Women Voters of North Dakota will also place observers at polling sites. In contrast, the ACLU of North Dakota will not station its own observers but will collaborate with the League to address any complaints or concerns that arise on Election Day.

Cass County accounted for approximately 22% of North Dakota voters in the 2022 midterms. The presence of federal, state, and nonprofit observers aims to document the voter experience, particularly if individuals are turned away from the polls or encounter administrative hurdles.