Missouri is taking a stand against the Department of Justice (DOJ) over its planned deployment of election monitors, filing a lawsuit on Monday to prevent the DOJ from interfering with polling places on Election Day. The state’s Secretary of State, Jay Ashcroft, and Attorney General, Andrew Bailey, allege that the DOJ’s presence is not only illegal but also constitutes a form of harassment and intimidation directed at Missouri voters.
The lawsuit comes after the DOJ announced last week that it would send election monitors to 86 voting jurisdictions across 27 states, including both Republican-led states like Florida and Democrat-led states like California. This number represents a substantial 49% increase from the 2020 election, aligning with the number of jurisdictions monitored during the 2004 election.
However, Missouri officials argue that the DOJ’s actions violate state law. They point to the fact that Missouri, in 2022, banned federal monitors from entering polling places, citing the state’s commitment to election integrity and its record of conducting fair and secure elections. According to Secretary Ashcroft, Missouri leads the nation in accessible, secure voting with timely and credible results, a claim supported by organizations like the conservative Heritage Foundation.
The state officials further accuse the DOJ of trying to circumvent the law by contacting local election officials directly instead of engaging with the state’s Secretary of State’s office, which they see as a deliberate attempt to bypass their authority. They argue that the DOJ’s presence is unnecessary and serves only to intimidate voters and harass poll workers.
This stance echoes a similar legal battle in Virginia, where the DOJ is also facing a lawsuit for attempting to intervene in the state’s efforts to clean its voter rolls. Republican Attorney General Jason Miyares argues that the DOJ’s actions are an overreach of federal power and a violation of the state’s right to conduct its own elections.
The ongoing legal battles highlight a growing tension between states and the federal government over election oversight. While the DOJ emphasizes its commitment to ensuring fair ballot access and preventing partisan influence, many Republican-led states see the federal monitoring as an unnecessary intrusion and a challenge to their authority. The outcome of these legal challenges could have significant implications for the future of election administration and oversight in the United States.
Missouri, a state that consistently votes Republican in presidential elections, remains confident in its election administration. The state’s Secretary of State has expressed full confidence in its election authorities and highlighted the preparedness for Election Day. With early voting already underway, Missouri officials remain resolute in their commitment to a safe, secure, and credible election.
