Feds To Monitor 5 CA Polling Sites Ahead Of Nov. 4 Election

With the general election around the corner, the federal government announced Friday that it will monitor five polling jurisdictions across California, including Passaic County in New Jersey.

The U.S. Department of Justice says it is doing so to ensure transparency, ballot security and compliance with federal law.

The department will monitor five counties in California — Fresno, Orange, Kern, Riverside and Los Angeles. It will also monitor Passaic County in New Jersey.

“Transparency at the polls translates into faith in the electoral process, and this Department of Justice is committed to upholding the highest standards of election integrity,” said Attorney General Pamela Bondi. “We will commit the resources necessary to ensure the American people get the fair, free, and transparent elections they deserve.”

The off-year general election features a number of nail-biter races with significant partisan consequences.

In California, voters will decide the fate of controversial measure Proposition 50, which would redraw the state's congressional district map to benefit Democrats. The move could later result in Democrats adding up to five new seats.

The partisan ballot initiative was created early this year in response to Texas redrawing its own congressional district map to benefit Republicans, at President Donald Trump's suggestion.

In another tense race New Jersey, voters will decide between a Democrat and Republican for governor. And the race appears to be down to the wire, making Republicans hopeful they can pull off a victory in a traditionally blue state.

“Election protection means making sure every eligible voter can participate freely and every lawful vote is counted,” said Acting U.S. Attorney and Special Attorney Alina Habba of the District of New Jersey. “Our office is committed to working alongside our federal, state, and local partners to ensure transparency, security, and public confidence in the election process.”

Habba is also a Trump appointee.

California Secretary of State Shirley Weber issued a statement saying the DOJ had not provided "any justification" for the need to deploy monitors "in what is a nonfederal special election." She insisted state elections are secure and transparent, and said the state will ensure voters can cast their ballots "without intimidation."

"We will not permit tactics masquerading as oversight to erode voter confidence or intimidate Californians," Weber said. "Our voters have earned the right to cast their ballots free from surveillance or interference -- from anyone. In California, election integrity is not a talking point; it's a practice built on decades of professionalism and public trust. We intend to keep it that way."

The Friday news release announcing the monitoring of six counties did not specify why those locations were selected, but it encouraged voters to request election monitoring in their jurisdictions so the Civil Rights Division can determine whether such oversight is “warranted.”

Bondi says the effort will be led by the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division, under Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon. The division will deploy Civil Rights personnel to coordinate with U.S. Attorney’s Offices across the six counties.

According to the Justice Department, the Voting Section of the Civil Rights Division enforces several federal laws safeguarding the right to vote, including the Voting Rights Act, the National Voter Registration Act, the Help America Vote Act, the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act and the Civil Rights Acts.

The federal government says the move aims to promote transparency and open communication between poll observers and election monitors to help ensure elections are conducted "with a high degree of security."

“Our democracy depends on free and fair elections,” said Acting United States Attorney Bill Essayli of the Central District of California. “We will work tirelessly to uphold and protect the integrity of the election process.”

Essayli previously served as an Assemblyman in Riverside County before he was appointed by Trump as U.S. Attorney for the Central District of California.

From now until Nov. 4, workers from the Civil Rights Division will reportedly be taking questions and complaints from the public related to violations of federal voting laws.

“The Department of Justice will do everything necessary to protect the votes of eligible American citizens, ensuring our elections are safe and secure,” said Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon of the Civil Rights Division. “Transparent election processes and election monitoring are critical tools for safeguarding our elections and ensuring public trust in the integrity of our elections.”

READ MORE: A Rich Scientist Is Determined To Sink Prop 50: Report