Texas says DOJ election monitors not allowed in state's polling places
Texas says election monitors from the U.S. Department of Justice will not be permitted in the state's polling places.
A letter from Texas Secretary of State Jane Nelson sent Friday to the department's Civil Rights Division, says federal monitors are not permitted under Texas law.
Earlier Friday, the Justice Department issued a press release stating it planned to send election monitors to more than 80 counties in 27 states to monitor compliance with federal voting rights laws. The list included eight counties in Texas, including Dallas and Harris counties.
"Texas law is clear: Justice Department monitors are not permitted inside a polling place where ballots are being cast or a central counting station where ballots are being counted," Nelson's letter stated.
The letter ended with: "Rest assured that Texas has robust processes and procedures in place to ensure that eligible voters may participate in a free and fair election."
The Justice Department has sent Election Day monitors to polling places around the U.S. for decades.