IL Attorney General Issues Strong Statement On DOJ Poll Watchers Ahead Of Election Day

Ahead of the Nov. 3 gubernatorial election, Attorney General Kwame Raoul issued a strong statement that Department of Justice poll monitors cannot interfere with the administration of elections in any way.

"Federal poll monitors are not new to this election," Raoul said. "Historically, the Department of Justice has deployed monitors to ensure compliance with federal voting laws, and we understand that the department will undertake those efforts on Election Day in a small number of polling locations in the state of Illinois and across the country."

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Amid rumors of voting machines and votes possibly being stolen, poll workers across the country are being trained on what to do if immigration enforcement officers show at voting places. Poll workers are being drilled about the statute that bars federal agents from voting places and the limits of what federal monitors may and may not do on Election Day, according to the New York Times.

"Much of the preparations for Nov. 3 can be distilled into one overarching concern—that the Trump administration will somehow attempt to meddle with the voting process or the results," the New York Times reported.

Raoul said he has been in contact with the DOJ. The Illinois Attorney General said his office had no reason to believe that "monitors will be engaged in anything inconsistent with traditional monitoring efforts."

"These monitors must present credentials when they enter polling places," Raoul's statement continued. "Like any poll watcher, they must follow the instructions of election judges, and they cannot inspect, touch or seize ballots or voting equipment, decide which votes are counted, or interfere with election administration in any way."

Raoul said federal monitors can only interact with voters with the voter's consent. It is important for voters to know that DOJ monitors are a standard part of the election process. He reiterated that his office stands ready to hold accountable those who attempt to unlawfully interfere with or intimidate Illinois voters or election workers.

"The U.S. Constitution gives states the responsibility of administering elections, and Illinois residents should rest assured that we are focused on facilitating—not limiting—their access to the ballot box," Raoul stated. "The Attorney General's office is in close contact with state and local election authorities, and we remain confident that our elections are safe and secure. As we do with every election, we are working diligently to ensure that voters' rights are protected, and polling places are accessible. The right to vote is our most fundamental right as Americans, and it is imperative that, regardless of who you vote for or how you vote, you make your voice heard by or on Nov. 3."