Full Breakdown
DOJ Deploys Monitors to Minnesota Primary Polling Sites
8/12/2026, 1:16:35 AM
Core Event
During the Tuesday primary election, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) sent roughly 20 staff members from the Civil Rights Division’s Voting Section and the Minnesota U.S. Attorney’s Office to monitor polling locations in Hennepin and Ramsey counties. County Attorney Mary Moriarty pledged to protect voters’ rights and to prosecute any threats or intimidation.
Background and Prior Monitoring
The DOJ’s presence in Minnesota is not new. Federal monitors were deployed during the 2020, 2022 and 2024 election cycles under Presidents Trump and Biden. The Justice Department has previously sent over 50 monitors to seven Minnesota counties this primary season and plans to place observers in 15 jurisdictions across six states—Arizona, Michigan, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Hampshire and Virginia.
Official Statements & Responses
- Harmeet Dhillon (Assistant Attorney General, Civil Rights Division) said the monitoring is “nondiscriminatory” and does not target any party.
- Daniel N. Rosen (U.S.
- The Justice Department stated it has stationed over 50 monitors across seven counties this primary season and will continue to answer public questions and receive complaints through November 3, 2026, the date of the general election.
What’s Next
From now through the November 3, 2026 general election, Civil Rights Division personnel will remain available to field inquiries and process complaints related to federal voting-rights statutes, including the Voting Rights Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Verbatim Quotes
- “This has been done the last several election cycles under multiple presidents, including President Biden, and Minnesotans may well have voted at a polling place with a federal observer there and not even noticed a thing,” — Mr. Simon
- “Minnesotahas always complied with, and will continue to comply with, federal election laws.” — Lauren Bethke, general counsel for the state’s secretary of state
- “Election monitoring is a critical to ensuring our elections have the trust of Minnesotans. We are proud to partner with the Civil Rights Division in this effort.” — District, of Minnesota
