NAACP, Advancement Project, and Legal Defense Fund Take Emergency Action To Block Federal Law Enforcement Agents From Polling Sites

Read a PDF of our statement here.

Civil Rights Coalition Resists DOJ Voter Intimidation Effort

The NAACP, Advancement Project, and the Legal Defense Fund (LDF) have filed an emergency Temporary Restraining Order in NAACP v Blanche to block federal law enforcement agents from serving as federal "election monitors." The action follows the release of details regarding the DOJ's election monitoring scheme, obtained by the NAACP through litigation under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA).

Contrary to past practices, the DOJ has decided to deploy agents from the Bureau of Prisons (BOP), Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) to serve as "poll monitors" at election locations across the country. All of these entities are law enforcement components that fall under the Department.

"The Justice Department must not be permitted to subvert its foundational responsibility of protecting voters' right to elections free from fear," said Kathryn Sadasivan, Senior Counsel at the Legal Defense Fund. "The continued threats of law enforcement deployment to the polls are clearly deliberate attempts to dissuade voter participation. This is immoral, this is illegal, and this is absolutely shameful behavior from what's supposed to be the nation's highest legal authority. We will continue to fight to protect every eligible voters' ability to cast a ballot without the threat of violence hanging over their head at the ballot box."

"The law is clear - law enforcement agents can have an intimidating effect on voters, especially Black voters, and they have no role and no right to be inside our polling places," said Kristen Clarke, the general counsel for the NAACP. "We are taking action to ensure that the path to the ballot box remains free from harassment and intimidation for all voters on Election Day. This Justice Department may want us to be afraid, but that's only because they are afraid of us and the power of our votes. The NAACP urges every voter to cast a ballot if they have not already done so."

This latest action is being led by the NAACP.

"Let's call the DOJ's veiled attempt at fearmongering what it is, it's voter intimidation, and we know that the Voting Rights Act clearly states that any attempts to intimidate voters from practicing their right to vote are illegal. Our team at Advancement Project is working across the country to observe the polls and protect the right to vote. We're not backing down from the fight for free and fair elections, and encourage communities to vote with confidence," said Advancement Project Executive Director Carmen Daugherty.

As of today, more than 54 million Americans have already voted in this election.

NAACP v. Blanche-challenging this DOJ's plans to deploy 1,000 "election monitors"-is just one of the numerous major voting rights cases brought by the NAACP this cycle. The organization is fighting to defend and strengthen the freedom to vote, helping ensure that all communities can fully participate in our democracy with confidence.

If voters encounter issues at the polls, they are encouraged to call 866-OUR-VOTE for immediate support or to file a report at NAACP.org/vote to notify election protection lawyers with the NAACP.

The NAACP's nationwide field operation is working around the clock to mobilize more than 6.5 million Black voters across battleground states. More than 52,000 volunteers with the NAACP are also knocking doors, making calls, and engaging with infrequent voters in their communities. To learn more, visit naacp.org.

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Founded in 1940, the Legal Defense Fund (LDF)is the nation's first civil rights legal organization. LDF has been completely separate from the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) since 1957, though it was founded under the leadership of Thurgood Marshall while he was at the NAACP. LDF's Thurgood Marshall Institute (TMI) is a division of LDF that undertakes innovative research and houses LDF's archive. In all media attributions, please refer to us as the Legal Defense Fund or LDF (do not include NAACP) and refer to the Institute as LDF's Thurgood Marshall Institute or TMI.