Overview
- County election officials in California confirmed a small DOJ team of two attorneys will observe only publicly viewable activities and may not disrupt voting.
- California Attorney General Rob Bonta said the state will send its own observers to watch the federal monitors.
- Secretary of State Shirley Weber told the Justice Department that none of the targeted counties are under court orders authorizing federal observers.
- Legal experts note that, after Shelby County v. Holder, federal monitoring of local elections typically requires a court order.
- The White House has reportedly directed the Pentagon to prepare National Guard quick-reaction forces, a step that experts say heightens concerns about potential security escalations around voting.