DOJ Deploys Election Monitors to Colorado and Wyoming

The United States Department of Justice is deploying election monitors to Colorado and Wyoming for the November 3 election to ensure compliance with federal law. In Wyoming, Laramie County Clerk Debra Lee coordinated specific restrictions for the monitors, including a requirement to stay 100 yards away from polling places and wear county-issued badges. This deployment follows a Wyoming Attorney General opinion asserting that states maintain jurisdiction over elections, with the Wyoming Secretary of State noting that such monitoring has not occurred in the state for at least 40 years.

In Colorado, the deployment has met with more resistance. Adams County Clerk Josh Zygielbaum expressed concern that federal observers could be used to intimidate voters or seize ballots and machines. The Colorado Secretary of State's office is currently seeking further details from the Justice Department, emphasizing that state approval is required for observers to enter secure, nonpublic ballot-counting areas.

Local officials are implementing broader contingency plans to prevent disruptions. Denver Clerk Paul López has urged voters to use drop boxes to avoid reliance on the postal service, while Larimer County Clerk Tina Harris confirmed the existence of multiple contingency plans for Election Day.