NAACP sues Trump administration over plans to deploy election monitors nationwide

The NAACP has sued the Trump administration over plans by the US Department of Justice to deploy election monitors to polling sites during November’s midterm elections.

Civil rights division head Harmeet Dhillon has said she hopes to send 1,000 monitors. Attorney General Todd Blanche confirmed on Sunday that monitors would be sent to all 50 states.

The lawsuit seeks records about the planned deployment. The NAACP said it filed a Freedom of Information Act request on 1 September, but that the Justice Department had not complied.

NAACP challenges Justice Department authority

NAACP general counsel Kristen Clarke said no federal statute gives the Justice Department the right to send election monitors to polling sites nationwide. The organization said the plan could jeopardize the elections and interfere with voters’ ability to participate without intimidation.

The NAACP called the timely release of the records necessary to protect voting rights and election integrity. Clarke also questioned whether the department was using its law-enforcement powers to the detriment of voters and election officials.

Justice Department cites longstanding practice

Blanche told Fox News that the Justice Department had monitored elections since the 1960s and that the current administration was continuing that practice. A department spokesperson said the monitors would follow legal and ethical requirements and would not interfere with voting.

The plans have also drawn criticism from Republicans. Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon said that during the state’s primaries, two monitors arrived at a polling station without notice and tried to inspect voting machines.

A Justice Department spokesperson rejected the description of the monitors as aggressive or improper and said the department looked forward to maintaining a presence in Wyoming during the general election.