Full Breakdown
DOJ Deploys Civil Rights Monitors to Charleston County Runoff Polls
8/26/2026, 9:57:12 PM
Core Event
The U.S. Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division sent attorneys and staff to observe polling sites in Charleston County, South Carolina, on Tuesday as Republican voters cast ballots in a special primary runoff. The monitors are tasked with ensuring compliance with federal voting-rights laws, ballot security, and overall transparency.
Background & Context
The runoff was triggered after the unexpected death of Senator Lindsey Graham on July 11, 2026. State officials scheduled a GOP primary runoff between Sen. Darline Graham and U.S. Rep. Ralph Norman to determine the party’s Senate nominee, who will face Democrat Dr. Annie Andrews in the November general election.
Data & Statistics
- The DOJ has deployed over 80 monitors across seven states and more than 200 polling locations during this primary season, a notable increase from the nine-state deployment in the 2022 midterms.
- In Charleston County, the team includes four Civil Rights Division attorneys, one South Carolina Assistant U.S. Attorney, and one staff employee from the South Carolina U.S. Attorney’s Office.
- Earlier this month, DOJ observers were also present in primary contests in Florida and Wyoming.
- The Trump administration has announced a plan to send 1,000 monitors nationwide for the upcoming November midterm elections, a move that has drawn concern from voting-rights experts.
Official Statements & Responses
Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon said the monitoring effort reflects a broader DOJ initiative to promote election transparency and protect voting rights. He thanked state and local officials for their cooperation.
Verbatim Quotes
- “South Carolina is the next stop in our ongoing effort to ensure election transparency,” — Assistant Attorney General Harmeet, said assistant attorney
- “Our election workers will continue to follow state and federal law throughout the day to ensure our elections remain legal, fair, accessible to all eligible voters,” — Isaac Cramer
