Washington (CNN) — The Justice Department Friday announced that it is dispatching more than 780 federal observers and monitors to 23 states to watch for potential problems which would violate voting rights protected by federal law.
The Justice Department said it was sending observers to 51 jurisdictions in those states to help enforce federal voting rights laws which protect ballot access.
The government listed the locations where officials are being dispatched-including Ohio, Alabama and Texas– but did not specify reasons. However, experts familiar with the process say the list appears to reflect concern about the minority language requirements of voting materials. Experts said most of the monitors are arranged by the Office of Personnel Management, but about 60 of those being sent are lawyers from the Justice Department civil rights division in Washington.
