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Thursday, Nov. 10, 2022

Can federal authorities monitor elections in Wisconsin?


yes

The Civil Rights Division of the U.S. Department of Justice has the responsibility to enforce federal voting rights statutes including the Voting Rights Act of 1965 in states, which it does through observing elections in the field. Federal elections monitoring has taken place since the passage of the act.

Personnel from the division and U.S. attorneys’ offices monitor election activities in various jurisdictions across the states, which can change each year. In 2022, federal monitors were in place in Milwaukee and Racine. Monitors also reviewed elections in Milwaukee in 2020, 2016 and 2012.

Officials looks for discriminatory practices, voter intimidation, available assistance for voters who need it, provision of voter registration at various government offices, and other factors. Florida and Missouri objected to federal monitoring in their states and required monitors to stay outside at 2022 midterm election polling sites. 

See a full discussion of this at Wisconsin Watch

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