The United States Department of Justice’s (DOJ) Civil Rights Division announced its plan to have election monitors present at polling locations in three Michigan cities. The three cities, Detroit, East Lansing, and Lansing, are all majority-Democratic areas in the state.
Key Points:
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- The letters sent to the municipalities stated DOJ monitors will be present for the August 2026 primary election.
- The department states the reason for oversight is due to long lines, a lack of provisional ballots, and concerns over Voter Accessible Terminals during the 2024 General Election.
Monitors:
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- Federal election monitors are routine observers of the election process and must follow all local, county, and state laws.
- Neither the election monitoring nor federal observer program gives the DOJ authority to interfere with state or local administration of elections or to demand the production of documents or hands-on access to voting equipment or election materials.
In response, Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson and Attorney General Dana Nessel issued statements touting the success and accuracy of Michigan’s elections. City officials from Detroit, East Lansing, and Lansing will respond to the DOJ independently.
