Justice Department to monitor Centre County polls for federal voting rights laws compliance

Halie Kines
·2 min read

The Justice Department will monitor polls in Centre County, along with 63 other jurisdictions across the United States, to ensure “compliance with federal voting rights laws” for the Nov. 8 election.

In a press release Monday, the department announced its plans to send monitors to polls in 24 states.

“Since the passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, the Civil Rights Division has regularly monitored elections in the field in jurisdictions around the country to protect the rights of voters,” the release stated. “The Civil Rights Division will also take complaints from the public nationwide regarding possible violations of the federal voting rights laws through its call center. The Civil Rights Division enforces the federal voting rights laws that protect the rights of all citizens to access the ballot.”

Centre County Commissioner Michael Pipe said the department notified the county prior to sending the press release out on Monday.

“The DOJ works tirelessly to enforce federal laws guaranteeing the right to vote for every eligible elector. The Centre County Board of Elections focuses on making democracy easily accessible to all voters,” Pipe said in a text message. “We look forward to collaborating with the DOJ’s Civil Rights Division during this important midterm election.”

In addition to Centre County, the department plans to be in Pennsylvania in Berks, Lehigh, Luzerne and Philadelphia counties.

Monitors will include personnel from the Civil Rights Division and from the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices, the release states. Where “authorized by federal court order,” monitors from the Office of Personnel Management will be present. Those personnel will also maintain contact with state and local election officials, the release states.

Between the different sections within the Civil Rights Division, there is enforcement over several areas, including protecting the right to vote, to ensure that those with disabilities have an equal opportunity to vote, and to prohibit voter intimidation and voter suppression based on race, color, national origin or religion.

If the public needs to file a complaint:

  • Related to possible violations of the federal voting rights laws, use the complaint form on the department’s website civilrights.justice.gov or call 800-253-3931.

  • If there is a disruption at a polling place, immediately report it to local election officials, including officials in the polling place. Complaints related to violence, threats of violence or intimidation at a polling place should be reported immediately to local police authorities by calling 911. These complaints should also be reported to the department after local authorities have been contacted.

  • Individuals with questions or complaints related to the Americans with Disabilities Act can call the department’s ADA information line, 800-514-0301 or submit a complaint through a link on the department’s ADA website, ada.gov.