The U.S. Justice Department on Friday announced that it is sending more than 780 federal observers
and monitors to 23 states across the country to watch for potential
voting rights violations in the Nov. 6 presidential election.
The department said that the observers will go to 51
jurisdictions in those states to help enforce federal voting rights
laws, which protect ballot access.
The observers will also be watching over voting procedures. Media
reports said that one reason for the dispatchment was to prevent
discrimination based on languages and ethnicity. The officials will
also ensure that voters with disabilities are accommodated, and that
no procedures are used to subject voters to different procedures on
the basis of race, color or national origin.
Many of the locations being targeted for the 2012 general
election have also appeared on similar lists for past elections.
Justice officials say the federal monitors will maintain a low
profile, and will not be involved in the voting process unless
problems arise.
