DOJ plans first-ever monitoring of midterm elections in all 50 states

The Department of Justice (DOJ) will deploy about 1,000 election monitors and observers across all 50 states for the U.S. midterm elections, Peoples Gazette reports. The announcement was made on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, and the exercise is the largest election-monitoring operation in the department’s history.

Historically, the DOJ has concentrated its monitoring in selected states and local jurisdictions with specific concerns. The monitors will include personnel from the Civil Rights Division, other DOJ divisions and components, U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and federal observers from the Office of Personnel Management. Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon of the Civil Rights Division said, “Election integrity has been one of the top priorities for this administration and this division.”

The monitors will check whether election officials comply with federal laws protecting Americans’ voting rights, and guard against voter intimidation and suppression based on race, colour, national origin or religion. Division personnel will be available throughout the week to receive questions and public complaints.