Texas’ top election official is telling the Biden-Harris administration that federal election monitors are not welcome in the Lone Star State.
Late this week, it was revealed that the Department of Justice plans to send election monitors to “monitor compliance with federal voting rights laws” in 27 states, including eight Texas counties: Bexar, Dallas, Frio, Harris, Hays, Palo Pinto, and Waller.
Texas Secretary of State Jane Nelson made it clear that federal monitors won’t be allowed inside polling places.
In a letter to Jasmyn Richardson of the DOJ’s Civil Rights Division, Nelson emphasized that state law prohibits outside federal monitors from entering election sites:
“Texas law is clear: Justice Department monitors are not permitted inside a polling place where ballots are being cast or a central counting station where ballots are being counted. Section 61.001 of the Texas Election Code specifies who may be lawfully present on election day; federal inspectors are not included in the list. TEX. ELEC. CODE § 61.001(a-1). Nor are federal inspectors specified in the list of those permitted in the central counting station while ballots are counted. See id. § 127.008(b).”
“Rest assured that Texas has robust processes and procedures in place to ensure eligible voters may participate in a free and fair election,” Nelson added.
In a social media post, Gov. Greg Abbott backed Nelson’s letter, stating, “Federal monitors are not allowed to enter polling places in Texas.”
Christine Welborn, executive director of the election integrity advocacy group Advancing Integrity, also applauded the move.
“Through their refusal to provide information identifying non-citizens on our voter rolls and thinly veiled threats from the DOJ against citizen audits, this administration is continuing to attempt to interfere with the security of Texas elections. I applaud Secretary Nelson for standing strong to protect Texans,” said Welborn.
Texas isn’t alone in pushing back; election officials in Florida and Arkansas have also stated that federal monitors are not allowed.
In-person early voting ended on Friday in Texas, with Election Day set for Tuesday, November 5.
