DOJ to Send Monitors to Passaic, Five California Counties

The U.S. Department of Justice will deploy federal election monitors to Passaic County, New Jersey, and five California counties (Los Angeles, Orange, Kern, Riverside and Fresno) ahead of the Nov. 4 elections to observe ballot handling and ensure transparency, ballot security and compliance with federal law. The teams were sent after requests from state Republican officials and will focus on high-profile contests including New Jersey’s competitive governor’s race and California’s Proposition 50. Democrats — including California Gov. Gavin Newsom and New Jersey officials — criticized the move as inappropriate federal interference or an intimidation tactic, while local election officials said observers at polls are common and must follow strict guidelines. Critics warned the deployment risks politicizing the Justice Department; the department’s Civil Rights Division defended the monitoring as routine election oversight. Republicans cited past irregularities in Passaic County and requested special oversight of mail-in ballot handling, and DOJ said the teams are intended to ensure compliance and public confidence.