(TALLAHASSEE, FLA) — Florida has told the DOJ to “stay out of our polling places.” Monday, the Florida Department of State sent a letter to the Biden Department of Justice explaining that their “federal election monitors” (DOJ attorneys, FBI agents) are banned from going inside polling places. The department says it would be counter productive and undermine confidence in the election.
Here’s the full letter pic.twitter.com/xIh5CcxKW4
— Brendon Leslie (@BrendonLeslie) November 8, 2022
Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach County were included in the DOJ’s initial letter declaring intentions to send personnel. “Monitors will include personnel from the Civil Rights Division and from U.S. Attorneys’ Offices. In addition, the division also deploys monitors from the Office of Personnel Management, where authorized by federal court order. Division personnel will also maintain contact with state and local election officials.”
The DeSantis Administration said they will send their own election monitors to the three “targeted jurisdictions” to monitor the federal agents: “These monitors will ensure that there is no interference with the voting process.”
The letter continues: “Your letters simply provide a non-exhaustive list of federal elections statutes as the basis for this action without pointing to any specific statutory authorization. When asked for specific authorization during our phone call this evening, you did not provide any. Accordingly, the Florida Department of State invokes its authority under section 101.58(2) of the Florida Statutes to send its own monitors to the three targeted jurisdictions. These monitors will ensure that there is no interference with the voting process.”
“You have my cell phone number. Please let me know how best to coordinate with your team as Florida works towards another smooth election day,” finished Brad McVay, the General Counsel to the Florida Department of State.
Democratic candidate, Corrina Robinson who is running against Congressman Brian Mast expressed relief in an interview with Bill yesterday that FBI agents will be monitoring election results at the Palm Beach County Supervisor of Elections office.
Corrina FBI on site
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton also revealed that the DOJ is sending law enforcement to several election precincts in his state. So if you are voting today, expect to see more Federal security.
In Flagstaff, Arizona – one election office will be barricaded by bulletproof glass and the walls of an election office in Tallahassee, Florida are fortified with Kevlar. Behind the scenes? The Justice Department is now expanding its monitoring of polling places to 24 states.
Texas AG Ken Paxton expressing concern that DOJ attorneys and FBI agents who have proven they support the Biden administration may be intimidating to Republican voters.