CLEVELAND — Federal monitors from the U.S. Department of Justice will be in Cuyahoga County Tuesday to see if the area is indeed in compliance with national election laws.
The DOJ made the announcement on the eve of Election Day, with Cuyahoga one of 64 jurisdictions across the country on its list (and the only one from Ohio). The department's Civil Rights Division "has regularly monitored elections in the field" since the passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, and will also be taking any and all complaints of potential violations from citizens nationwide.
Officials did not say why Cleveland and Cuyahoga County will receive monitors for the midterms, but noted possible violations include "voter intimidation and voter suppression based on race, color, national origin or religion" as well as "complaints related to violence, threats of violence or intimidation." Other communities on the DOJ's list include Dallas, Detroit, Philadelphia, Milwaukee, and Miami, among others.
Ever since former President Donald Trump began spouting lies that the 2020 election was "rigged" against him, election workers and some voters have reported a rise in intimidation tactics. Just last month, two far-right operatives pleaded guilty to a robocall scheme in Cleveland and East Cleveland that falsely told thousands voters in predominantly Black neighborhoods they could be arrested or be forced to receive vaccinations based on information they submitted in votes by mail.
Those wishing to file complaints to the Civil Rights Division can do so by calling (800) 253-3931 or by logging on to civilrights.justice.gov. In addition, potential violations of voting laws related to the Americans with Disabilities Act can be reported to (800) 514-0301 or (833) 610-1264, or though ada.gov.