# Minnesota and California Deploy DOJ Election Monitors

> Minnesota and California prepare for DOJ election monitors amid election security concerns.
- Title: Minnesota and California Deploy DOJ Election Monitors · Dawn
- Summary: Minnesota and California prepare for DOJ election monitors amid election security concerns. Minnesota and California are coordinating with state attorneys…
- Keywords: minnesota, california, justice department, election monitors, doj, state attorney general, midterms, voter intimidation, election security, news, politics, Deploy
- Source: Dawn — https://dawn.com/news/2038784/monitoring-the-monitors-us-states-prepare-for-surge-of-justice-dept-election-watchers
- Author: Reuters
- Published: 2026-10-21T13:06:23+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: minnesota, california, justice department, election monitors, doj, state attorney general, midterms, voter intimidation, election security, news, politics
## Minnesota deploys 40 state employees
Minnesota officials deployed about 40 state employees working in pairs to track DOJ lawyers during August primary elections.
## DOJ plans 1,000 monitors nationwide
The Justice Department plans to deploy about 1,000 monitors across all 50 states on Election Day, roughly triple the number from last midterm.
## Democratic Secretary of State Steve Simon
Steve Simon, Democratic Secretary of State, said his office will coordinate with state attorney general’s office to shadow federal monitors during November 3 midterms.
## California launches similar program
California has launched a similar monitoring program to track federal election observers during the November 3 midterms.
## DOJ monitors focus on civil rights
DOJ monitors will focus on compliance with civil rights laws and countering voter intimidation, not interfering with election processes.
## State laws limit monitor authority
Some states allow election officials to prevent DOJ monitors from entering polling locations within 30 meters of voting areas.
## Nevada and Maine take action
In Nevada, local law enforcement will remove DOJ monitors breaking rules; in Maine, election supervisors must contact state if federal monitors request permission.
## DOJ shifts focus to voter fraud
The Trump administration reshaped DOJ’s Civil Rights Division to prioritize election fraud and voting by non-US citizens over civil rights.
## NAACP sues to bar prosecutors
The NAACP sued to bar prosecutors and law enforcement from serving as election monitors, arguing it constitutes voter intimidation.
## Key takeaway

Minnesota and California are coordinating with state attorneys general to shadow federal election monitors ahead of November 3 midterms as DOJ plans 1,000 monitors nationwide.