NAACP Files Emergency Lawsuit to Secure Records on Justice Department’s Evolving Midterm “Election Monitoring” Plan

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

October 5, 2026

Contact: Chyna Fields, [email protected]

WASHINGTON - The NAACP filed a lawsuit against the Department of Justice's Assistant Attorney General of the Civil Rights Division Harmeet Dhillon for her failure to comply with the strict timeframe for disclosure requirements under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). The NAACP is also taking the urgent step of petitioning the Court for emergency judicial intervention to compel the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) to immediately produce public records regarding its planned deployment of federal law enforcement personnel as "election monitors" for the upcoming 2026 midterm election.

The action is part of the NAACP's investigation into the DOJ regarding its plans to deploy "election monitors" nationwide. The emergency action comes one day following Attorney General Todd Blanche's new claim that the Department will be sending "election monitors" to all 50 states. The group requested records under FOIA on September 1, 2026, concerning the legal authority of the Civil Rights Division to deploy "election monitors" to investigate utterly unfounded claims of vote fraud, which creates intimidation and fear at polling sites. The Department of Justice failed to comply with statutory requirements under FOIA, which mandates a response to records requests within 20 business days. With the 2026 midterm general election only 29 days away, the NAACP emphasizes that the timely release of these documents is critical to protecting voter rights and ensuring election integrity.

"To be clear, there is no federal statute that gives the U.S. Department of Justice the right to send their so-called "election monitors" to polling sites across the country, and this administration has made clear its intent to disrupt and interfere with the way elections are run in our country," said Kristen Clarke, NAACP General Counsel. "During the primary season, we saw monitors deployed with no notice to the public or jurisdiction, and no clear evidence that they were there for a legitimate civil rights purpose. Attorney General Todd Blanche now states that these 'monitors' will be deployed to all 5o states. Americans deserve to know whether the Justice Department is abusing its law enforcement powers to the detriment of voters and the election officials tasked with running our elections. Americans deserve transparency on the Justice Department's increasingly evolving and unwieldy plans. With Election Day just weeks away, the NAACP is seeking judicial intervention to ensure transparency and to safeguard the fundamental right to vote."

The DOJ's undisclosed plans, which they describe as the largest deployment of DOJ lawyers and personnel in the history of the United States, raises serious concerns regarding potential voter interference and suppression. The NAACP is asking the Court to compel the DOJ to immediately process the FOIA request and gather the records. The NAACP further requested the Court issue an emergency order granting the petition to compel the DOJ to then immediately release all requested records. The lawsuit emphasizes the urgent public interest in determining whether and how the Justice Department is abusing federal law enforcement authority to determine who gets to vote, and to interfere with the way elections are run - conduct at odds with the Constitution.

For more information or to read a copy of the legal complaint, visit naacp.org.

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About NAACP

The NAACP advocates, agitates, and litigates for the civil rights due to Black America. Our legacy is built on the foundation of grassroots activism by the biggest civil rights pioneers of the 20th century and is sustained by 21st century activists. From classrooms and courtrooms to city halls and Congress, our network of members across the country works to secure the social and political power that will end race-based discrimination. That work is rooted in racial equity, civic engagement, and supportive policies and institutions for all marginalized people. We are committed to a world without racism where Black people enjoy equitable opportunities in thriving communities.

NOTE: The Legal Defense Fund - also referred to as the NAACP-LDF - was founded in 1940 as a part of the NAACP, but now operates as a completely separate entity.