Velázquez Reiterates Call for Federal Electoral Monitors in Puerto Rico

[WASHINGTON] - Today, Congresswoman Nydia M. Velazquez (D-NY) released the following statement after the Department of Justice's (DOJ) appointment of a District Election Officer to oversee voting rights violations in Puerto Rico under the Election Day Program:

"The appointment of an election officer to address allegations of fraud, discrimination, and intimidation in Puerto Rico is welcome news. However, this step does not address the island's deep structural electoral issues.

"This type of electoral official is assigned to every state in the nation. Puerto Ricans need more than a simple protocol announcement. They need targeted action to address the irregularities threatening the island's democratic system. Allegations of poor management of the electoral register and ongoing disenfranchisement are undermining faith in the upcoming election.

"Three weeks ago, I led a call to DOJ requesting staff from the Civil Rights Division be deployed to directly monitor Puerto Rican elections. Given the ongoing threat to the right to vote in Puerto Rico, this move is appropriate and absolutely necessary.

"The DOJ recently announced that it will assign federal monitors to observe the election in Portage County, Ohio. There is no reason the same cannot be done in Puerto Rico. The DOJ has the authority, and there is more than enough evidence to intervene.

"There are less than twenty days until the election. Puerto Rico needs fair and transparent elections, and I am determined to ensure that all available federal oversight mechanisms are in place. The DOJ must act now."

###