Federal election monitors who are coming to Indianapolis on Election Day aren’t law enforcement and won’t be allowed inside of vote centers, Marion County Clerk Kate Sweeney Bell announced Oct. 28.
The U.S. Department of Justice told local officials last week that election monitors will be in Marion County and Lake County — two of the most diverse parts of Indiana that generally vote for Democrats. The news worried and confused voting rights advocates.
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A letter from the justice department to the Marion County Election Board was light on details. A justice department spokesperson didn’t answer Mirror Indy’s questions but said monitors will be here to “observe for potential violations of federal law.”
After meeting this week with the justice department, Bell said she learned there will be 12 monitors who are looking into compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and language-assistance laws.
“No voter will be hassled by monitors when entering the polls,” Bell said in a statement, “nor do they have any responsibility to talk to them after they’ve cast their ballot.”
Monitors will also look into the use of provisional ballots, according to Bell. A provisional ballot allows you to vote if, for example, you think you’re registered to vote but your name isn’t on the poll list. They’re reviewed after the election.
Dan Goldblatt, director of policy and communication with the clerk’s office, told Mirror Indy the justice department wants to make sure the county has enough provisional ballots. It isn’t clear how monitors will do that since they aren’t allowed inside of vote centers.
Goldblatt also said monitors will be in groups of two visiting different voting locations throughout the day.
Polls will be open 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Election Day Nov. 3.
Early voting is open at the City-County Building and other locations around Indianapolis. Check our voter guide for more details.
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Mirror Indy reporter Tyler Fenwick covers housing and labor. Contact him at 317-766-1406 or tyler.fenwick@mirrorindy.org. Follow him on X @ty_fenwick and Bluesky @tyfenwick.bsky.social.
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