{"id":2228242,"date":"2024-04-23T15:13:01","date_gmt":"2024-04-23T19:13:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/8-gop-states-and-counting-ban-bidens-doj-from-intimidating-voters-at-2024-polls\/"},"modified":"2024-04-23T15:16:53","modified_gmt":"2024-04-23T19:16:53","slug":"8-gop-states-and-counting-ban-bidens-doj-from-intimidating-voters-at-2024-polls","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/8-gop-states-and-counting-ban-bidens-doj-from-intimidating-voters-at-2024-polls\/","title":{"rendered":"8 GOP States Prohibit Biden\u2019s DOJ From &#8216;Intimidating&#8217; Voters at 2024 Polls"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">24<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2F8-gop-states-and-counting-ban-bidens-doj-from-intimidating-voters-at-2024-polls%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2228242&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>Several GOP states, including Florida\u200b and \u200cMissouri,\u2062 resisted DOJ \u2064requests for election monitors at polls, fearing voter intimidation. Some states, like Alabama,\u2064 Arkansas, Montana, and South Dakota, echoed this sentiment, prioritizing state election control. Others,\u2063 such\u200c as Idaho and North Dakota, adopted a more cautious approach, while Ohio and Texas remain \u200copen to \u200ccase-by-case reviews of DOJ requests.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"article-content\">\n<p>Florida and Missouri refused requests from the Department of Justice (DOJ) to place federal election monitors inside polling locations during the 2022 elections, arguing doing so would be tantamount to federal voter intimidation. The Federalist inquired with other Republican-led states whether they would take a similar stance should the DOJ make the same requests \u2014 but not all appeared willing to stand up to Biden\u2019s weaponized agency.<\/p>\n<p>The DOJ <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonpost.com\/politics\/2022\/11\/08\/justice-department-monitors-florida-desantis\/\">announced<\/a> in 2022 it would <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/dems-threaten-foreign-oversight-of-us-elections-if-they-dont-win\/\" title=\"Dems Threaten Foreign Oversight of US Elections If They Don't Win\">send election monitors<\/a> to 64 jurisdictions across the nation to monitor alleged voter intimidation and threats. Several Florida counties were included in the DOJ\u2019s list, but Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis refused DOJ election monitors to enter polling sites in South Florida, arguing DOJ\u2019s involvement would be \u201ccounterproductive\u201d and \u201cpotentially undermine confidence in the election.\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"fdrlst__b89e9-paragraph-2-long d-flex justify-content-center\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center; \" id=\"fdrlst__b89e9-512114663\">\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-1379703300879-0\" class=\"mb-30\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"fdrlst__b89e9-bf5b5df947bbce9e945e01562644562d fdrlst__b89e9-paragraph-2\" id=\"fdrlst__b89e9-bf5b5df947bbce9e945e01562644562d\"><\/div>\n<p>\u201cFlorida statutes list the people who \u2018may enter any polling room or polling place,&#8217;\u201d Chief Counsel for the Florida Department of State Brad McVay wrote in a letter. The Department of State is overseen by DeSantis. \u201cDepartment of Justice personnel are not included on the list.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The DOJ \u201ccouldn\u2019t provide a reason to be [at the polling places], nor any statutory authority for them to be there,\u201d Florida Secretary of State Cord Byrd stated in a letter, according to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.politico.com\/news\/2022\/11\/08\/florida-elections-doj-election-security-2022-midterms-00065649\">Politico<\/a>. <\/p>\n<p>Missouri took a similar stance in 2022, arguing the DOJ\u2019s presence was <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/MissouriSOS\/status\/1589381108235669504\">akin to bullying<\/a> local election authorities. State authorities suggested the DOJ should instead contact the secretary of state\u2019s office to discuss any election issues. <\/p>\n<p>Ahead of November, The Federalist inquired with states that have a Republican governor whether they would take a similar stance should the DOJ request to place poll monitors in election sites.<\/p>\n<div class=\"fdrlst__b89e9-182b998724d3027932f9129e53b069b7 fdrlst__b89e9-paragraph-6\" id=\"fdrlst__b89e9-182b998724d3027932f9129e53b069b7\"><\/div>\n<p>DeSantis Press Secretary Jeremy Redfern confirmed to The Federalist that Florida\u2019s policy has not changed: \u201cFlorida statutes on this matter have not changed, and DOJ personnel are not included on the list of \u2018who may enter any polling room or polling place.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Alabama Secretary of State Wes Allen told The Federalist DOJ election monitors are not included in state laws\u2019 \u201cexhaustive list of the persons who are allowed within 30 feet of a polling precinct.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cAs such, they will not be permitted to enter polling locations in Alabama,\u201d Allen told The Federalist. \u201cThe United States Constitution delegates to the states the roles and responsibilities surrounding election administration. This office and our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/group-our-vote-matters-is-suing-facebook-dominion-mark-zuckerberg-certain-state-officials-others-for-infringing-upon-right-to-vote-assemble-and-speak-freely-you-can-jo\/\" title=\"Group \u201cOur Vote Matters\u201d Is Suing Facebook, Dominion, Mark Zuckerberg, Certain State Officials, Others for Infringing Upon Right to Vote, Assemble and Speak Freely \u2013 You Can Join Too\">local election officials<\/a> are well equipped to ensure that Alabama elections are fair, secure, and transparent without unconstitutional supervision by the federal government.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Communications Director Alexa Henning for Arkansas Gov. Sarah Sanders told The Federalist that \u201cGovernor Sanders will not permit the Biden DOJ to improperly intimidate or unduly influence Arkansans inside our state\u2019s polling locations.\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"fdrlst__b89e9-f7007802c7dd7bfb1a542311c4fe7fc4 fdrlst__b89e9-paragraph-10\" id=\"fdrlst__b89e9-f7007802c7dd7bfb1a542311c4fe7fc4\"><\/div>\n<p>Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte\u2019s press secretary, Kaitlin Price, said Montana does not \u201cneed the federal government\u2019s\u201d intervention: \u201cMontana has a long history of fair, secure, transparent elections and doesn\u2019t need the federal government\u2019s help in protecting our elections. Working with Secretary of State Christi Jacobsen, the governor passed a number of commonsense reforms to protect the integrity of our elections.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem told The Federalist the DOJ would not be permitted to \u201cmeddle in our elections.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI have always fought for free, fair, and honest elections because that\u2019s what South Dakota voters deserve,\u201d the governor told The Federalist. \u201cYou should have faith and trust in the system when you vote, and that\u2019s easier to achieve when the election process is run by people here at home and not some DC-based hack.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe will never allow this corrupt DOJ that has been proven to weaponize its power against those they disagree with politically to meddle in our elections,\u201d Noem continued. <\/p>\n<p>The Mississippi Secretary of State\u2019s Office also <a href=\"https:\/\/wreg.com\/news\/mid-south\/doj-to-send-poll-watchers-to-madison-and-panola-county\/\">doubled down<\/a> on its previous stance of prohibiting DOJ poll watchers within 30 feet of the front door of polling locations. <\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe Mississippi Secretary of State\u2019s Office stands by its previous communications to the DOJ that state law prevents any person other than an election official, credentialed poll observer as defined by Miss. Code Ann. Section 23-15-577, or a person casting their ballot from being within 30 feet of a polling place.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Other states took a less forceful approach. Idaho officials told The Federalist that state law has \u201crequirements and limitations for poll watchers\u201d but the state is\u201dnot aware of any request made to any county clerk or similar involvement by the DOJ here in Idaho.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>North Dakota\u2019s secretary of state\u2019s office told The Federalist that state <a href=\"https:\/\/ndlegis.gov\/cencode\/t16-1c05.pdf\">code<\/a> \u201callows for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sos.nd.gov\/elections\/election-resources#collapse-accordion-2391-2\">election observers<\/a> in polling locations. Based on the information you provided I believe \u2018DOJ Monitors\u2019 would be considered observers as are all individuals who wish to observe election day practices.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Ben Kindel, press secretary for Ohio\u2019s secretary of state, told The Federalist the state would \u201creview any request on a case-by-case basis.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Texas Secretary of State spokeswoman Alicia Pierce directed The Federalist to Sec. 61. 001 of state election code, adding: \u201cIf you look at the code, it does not permit anyone who would fall under the category of federal observers.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Vermont\u2019s secretary of state office told The Federalist there are \u201cno special provisions, restrictions, or allowances that apply to the Department of Justice differentiating them from any other observer. The general rule for observers is under 17 V.S.A \u00a7 2581: Any person who is not an election official may remain outside a guardrail or within a designated area to observe so long as they do not interfere with the voting process in any way.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>West Virginia\u2019s secretary of state office said \u201conly election officials, voters appearing to vote, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/texas-gov-greg-abbott-issues-disaster-declaration-for-city-of-uvalde\/\" title=\"Texas Gov. Greg Abbott Issues Disaster Declaration For City Of Uvalde\">local law enforcement responding<\/a> to an emergency inside a polling place, and members of the public entering a location for other official business, such as paying property taxes\u201d are permitted inside polling locations. <\/p>\n<p>\u201cNo person who is not an election official, voter appearing to vote, or local law enforcement responding to an emergency is permitted inside a polling location.\u201d <\/p>\n<p>The communications director for New Hampshire\u2019s secretary of state told The Federalist, \u201cThe area outside of the guard rail in a polling place is open to the public, which includes election monitors.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe do not have any laws or policies that exclude the public from observing our elections from public areas in the polling place,\u201d the statement continued. <\/p>\n<p>The following states either provided no response or redirected The Federalist to a different office than the governor\u2019s, such as the secretary of state, which also did not respond by publication time: Alaska, Georgia, Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana, Nebraska, Nevada, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Utah, Virginia, and Wyoming. <\/p>\n<div class=\"fdrlst__b89e9-0e871660e321ce72e6649aed41296c67 fdrlst__b89e9-after-post-content\" id=\"fdrlst__b89e9-0e871660e321ce72e6649aed41296c67\"><\/div>\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator\">    \t\t\t\t\t   \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Florida and Missouri declined DOJ requests for federal election monitors at 2022 polls, citing potential voter intimidation. The Federalist asked other GOP states if they would do the same if DOJ made similar requests<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":74,"featured_media":2228243,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/thefederalist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/52487248620_6268d58fad_k-e1713893420513.jpg","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[546],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2228242","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-federalist"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/thefederalist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/52487248620_6268d58fad_k-e1713893420513.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2228242","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/74"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2228242"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2228242\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2228243"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2228242"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2228242"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2228242"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}