The U.S. Department of Justice sent letters to East Lansing, Lansing and Detroit in late June notifying the cities that federal election monitors would be deployed to polling locations during the primary election on Aug. 4.
Federal election monitors are being sent to five other states as part of the Trump administration's attempts to quell election fraud amid debunked claims that the 2020 election was stolen. It was unclear in the DOJ's letter if the East Lansing election monitors would also be sent to precincts on Michigan State University's campus.
The department questioned East Lansing's compliance with several election laws, including the Help America Vote Act (HAVA), on June 26.
East Lansing City Clerk Emily Gordon said she “welcomes the opportunity to explain why those assertations are inaccurate,” adding that East Lansing elections are “fair, secure, and transparent and are administered in accordance with all state and federal laws, including HAVA.”
Gordon also said that “poll watchers and challengers have been and will be a normal part of conducting elections in the State of Michigan,” and that they are “welcome within the confines of law.”
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel and Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson clarified that 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 access to election materials.
“Michigan’s elections are transparent, accurate, accessible, and secure,“ Benson said in a statement. “And while the U.S. Department of Justice continues to pursue baseless allegations to confuse voters about those facts, we welcome anyone who wants to — in compliance with the law — observe Michigan’s elections process. When they do, they will see what we already know to be true — Michigan’s professional local clerks are committed to ensuring our elections are safe, accessible, and fair.“
In compliance with state and federal law, Michigan has begun public accuracy tests ahead of the August primary. Public accuracy tests are done before every election to make sure voting machines accurately count ballots. Lansing opened its election headquarters to begin testing for the August primary on July 20.
Testing also ensures that voting machines are programmed correctly and equipment includes physical seals and other security measures to prevent unwarranted access to information.
The DOJ said it would be contacting the affected cities a week prior to the election to “discuss the particulars of the monitoring effort.”
