DOJ Sends Federal Election Observers to Burlington

Two federal election observers from the U.S. Department of Justice will visit Burlington polling places on Election Day. The monitors are part of a nationwide DOJ plan to deploy 1,000 observers across all 50 states for the mid-term elections. This deployment represents a major increase in federal oversight compared to previous cycles.

Vermont Secretary of State Sara Copeland Hanzas learned of the specific plans for the Queen City on Wednesday. She received this information during a virtual meeting with DOJ officials. Bryan Mills, the chief of staff for Copeland Hanzas, confirmed that Vermont officials first received a vague outline of the plans via email on October 22.

The two monitors will work in plainclothes. They intend to visit all eight polling locations in the city. Mills explained that the observers will identify themselves to the official in charge of each site. They plan to stay in designated areas and limit their activity to taking notes.

James Thomas Tucker, a senior trial attorney in the DOJ’s civil rights division, sent the initial email to Copeland Hanzas. He wrote that the monitors only observe and take notes. He added that they do not intrude or interfere in the voting process. If the monitors spot an issue, they will notify their team lead for the jurisdiction.

During the Wednesday call, DOJ officials narrowed their focus to voting accessibility. This area of election law ensures voters can cast ballots regardless of physical or verbal skills. It covers accommodations for people in wheelchairs, the visually impaired, and non-English speakers. Mills noted that the state had no reason to believe the monitors intended to interfere.

Copeland Hanzas addressed the news on Monday during a joint press conference with Governor Phil Scott. She described the use of election monitors as not unusual. She said the DOJ aims to ensure rightful voters are not denied access to the ballot. However, she noted that the administration's shift in focus makes it difficult to predict how the monitors will operate.

Vermont law already allows poll watchers to observe elections. This includes members of the media, the public, and political groups. Candidates can send up to two representatives to each polling place. State law grants the presiding officer the authority to impose rules to maintain order, including prohibiting cameras. Governor Scott said the state will intervene if any federal interference occurs.