SALEM, Ore. — The Oregon Secretary of State’s office says it was informed Thursday afternoon by the Civil Rights Division of the U.S. Department of Justice that the agency would deploy election monitors to Multnomah County on Election Day.
“Oregon’s elections are secure, accurate, and fair, and we always welcome observers to watch our American election process unfold,” Oregon Secretary of State Tobias Read said. “But let’s be clear: it is not legal for these observers or anyone else to interfere with Oregon’s elections – even the Department of Justice. We are prepared. We will follow the law, and we will make sure the Department of Justice does the same.”
Secretary Read said in a news release Friday that he is encouraging all individuals who intend to observe the election process to know the rules. They will be strictly enforced.
Here’s the rest of Read’s release, and reaction to the news by Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore.:
Multnomah County and other counties have clear rules to allow observers while protecting the integrity of the election. These rules prohibit observers from:
- Talking to election workers.
- Interfering with conversations between election workers and voters.
- Taking photos or videos of sensitive voter information.
- Handling any ballots or official election materials.
Justice Department election monitors have no special authority simply because they are Justice Department employees. They are allowed to observe election activities, document potential violations of federal voting laws, and raise concerns with election officials, but have no authority over election administration.
Justice Department election monitors also do not have independent authority to enter restricted election facilities, inspect voting equipment, handle ballots, or demand access to election records.
For decades, the Justice Department has deployed election monitors to ensure voters were protected from racial discrimination or intimidation.
However, concerns about federal monitors were sparked nationwide after two Justice Department monitors displayed “irregular” and “a bit aggressive” behavior while monitoring poll workers during Wyoming’s Aug. 18 primary election.
The monitors reportedly sought to interview voters inside polling places, obtain poll-worker training materials, and examine voting equipment and tabulators.
The Secretary of State’s office will continue to coordinate closely with county elections officials to ensure Oregon once again has a free and fair vote-by-mail election.
Wyden Statement on the Trump Administration Deploying Election Monitors to Oregon
Portland, OR – Senator Ron Wyden today issued the following statement in regards to the recent announcement that Trump’s Department of Justice plans to send election monitors to Oregon.
“Oregon’s vote-by-mail system has proven for more than three decades to be the gold standard for elections. And what these observers deployed by Trump administration officials back in Washington, DC will find is that our state once again will hold secure, accurate and fair elections,” Wyden said. “I’m glad that Secretary of State Read is fully prepared to protect Oregonians’ right to free and fair elections while also ensuring these observers follow the law prohibiting any observer from interfering in an election.”
