Let’s be clear-eyed about what federal election monitors on the ground in KY really mean

Tensions are high during the last week of the election season. But that reality requires us to be even more clear-eyed on what the law requires and what will happen on the ground on Election Day. 

This week brought a flurry of news stories generating concern about the federal Department of Justice sending election monitors to polling places in Kentucky. But those stories often lacked vital context: this is nothing new but is a normal part of election administration. The Biden DOJ also sent federal monitors to Kentucky polls in 2024. And there are strict rules about what these monitors may do. 

The DOJ’s letter regarding its plans in Kentucky is not contrary to any of these rules. It explains that the monitors will only “observe and take notes.” They cannot “intrude or interfere in any way in the voting process.” They are not law enforcement officials, will not be in uniform, and cannot be armed. 

As the Brennan Center for Justice explains, “The purpose of staff monitors is to observe, document, and report on compliance with civil rights laws. Because there is no specific grant of special privileges for monitors, in many states, monitors may only enter polling places with state or local officials’ permission; otherwise, they must observe outside.”

Kentucky election officials have already explained that the federal monitors may not enter polling places. That is consistent with Kentucky law, which limits who can be inside the voting location. There is no suggestion that they will try to enter polling places, and election officials will tell them they are not allowed if they try.

In an upcoming episode of my radio show and podcast, Democracy Optimist, a series on the WEKU program “Eastern Standard,” Secretary of State Michael Adams said that he has assurances from the highest level of the federal government that “there will not be federal government law enforcement at the polls. There won’t be ICE. There won’t be FBI.”

Importantly, these DOJ monitors are not law enforcement. They have no authority beyond observing what is happening — which is exactly what the letter says they will do. 

Given the political climate, people are understandably concerned about the Trump administration meddling in election administration. The U.S. Constitution gives the president no authority to dictate election rules. But sending civilian federal monitors to watch the process, from outside the polling place, is not as concerning as some are making it out to be. 

Of course, there’s likely a political motivation here. Trump is sending more federal monitors across the country than did previous administrations. There’s also an open question as to whether these monitors are going only to counties with more Democratic voters. But a press release or a DOJ letter saying that the federal government is watching the election does not mean that there are problems with how the election is run. So long as the monitors follow the law, it also does not mean that the DOJ is improperly interfering with the state’s election administration.  

All that said, Trump’s goal has been to sow confusion and concern, which could potentially cause people not to show up to vote or question the legitimacy of the election. We should not let him be successful in that by playing into his hand.

Instead, let’s focus on the facts: millions of people across the country will validly cast their ballots. Thousands of election officials will count the ballots. The winners will take office. 

The bottom line is that federal monitors being sent to Kentucky is neither concerning nor unprecedented. Our jobs are to go out to vote (and bring a friend!) and avoid speculation about voting problems that are unlikely to occur.