WEST PALM BEACH, Florida – The state of Florida is pushing back against the federal government’s “monitoring” inside polling places on Election Day, saying it violates state law.
Originally published at WND News Center. Used with permission.
On Monday, the Florida Department of State sent a letter to Joe Biden’s Justice Department, notifying officials that “federal election monitors” are prohibited from going inside polling locations.
The Justice Department announced it was sending monitors to 64 jurisdictions in 24 states, stating: “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.”
“Department of Justice monitors are not permitted under Florida law,” wrote Brad McVay, general counsel for the Florida Department of State in his letter of objection.
“Even if they could qualify as ‘law enforcement’ … the presence of federal law enforcement inside polling places would be counterproductive and could potentially undermine confidence in the election.”
BREAKING: Florida Department of State sent a letter to Biden’s DOJ telling them their federal election monitors are banned from going inside polling places
The Dept says it would be counter productive and undermine confidence in the election
— Brendon Leslie (@BrendonLeslie) November 8, 2022
The federal agents are targeting three Florida counties with large Democrat majorities: Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach County.
McVay says the Justice Department did “not detail the need for federal monitors in these counties. None of the counties are currently subject to any election-related federal consent decrees. None of the counties have been accused of violating the rights of language or racial minorities or of the elderly or disabled.”
“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.”
The matter was discussed on “Real America’s Voice” Tuesday morning, with former Republican congressional candidate Laura Loomer stressing, “This is an illegal act” by the federal government.
“This obviously has Floridians on high alert today.”
“It’s just an example of federal government overreach into elections,” she continued. “They want to have control.”
Loomer speculated on why the Democrat-majority counties were being targeted.
“Due to the Democrats’ insanity and their radical agenda, some of the South Florida districts … are expected to flip Republican,” she explained. “I’m not going to say this is deliberate fraud, but it certainly is illegal.”