Little Rock, Ark. – The U.S. Department of Justice announced it will send federal election monitors to Pulaski and Washington counties for the November 3 election. The department describes the effort as a routine, decades‑long practice aimed at observing elections for possible violations of federal voting laws.
Local officials weigh the presence of monitors
Democratic County Judge nominee Wendell Griffen of Pulaski County and Democratic County Judge candidate Dana Deree of Washington County expressed worries that the monitors could unintentionally intimidate voters, especially in communities with large Black and Hispanic populations. Griffen asked, “Are they sending these monitors to observe how well we do elections and how well our voters vote, or are they sending them to meddle in our elections and to interfere with our voters as they vote?” Both candidates said they have not seen evidence of election problems that would explain the DOJ’s selection of their counties.
In contrast, Republican County Judge nominee Michael Rushin of Pulsey County said he trusts the integrity of local elections and does not view the monitors as a concern. “I feel strong in the integrity of our elections,” Rushin said, adding that he does not believe voters are being intimidated.
DOJ’s response
A DOJ spokesperson reiterated that the department plans to conduct election monitoring in all 50 states, including Arkansas, and emphasized that monitors are prohibited from interfering with the voting process. “All monitors must meet the same legal and ethical requirements, including that they not interfere with the voting process. Every monitor has the same role: observe for potential violations of federal law and report concerns to the Department, which will review after Election Day and act where appropriate,” the spokesperson said.
The spokesperson did not provide a specific reason why Pulaski and Washington counties were chosen, noting only that the monitoring is part of a routine, nationwide effort.
County decisions on monitor access
The Washington County Election Commission voted not to allow DOJ monitors inside polling locations, though monitors may still observe from outside. Pulaski County’s Elections Coordinator, Amanda Dickens, said monitors could remain outside polling sites, and the Pulaski County Board of Election Commissioners is expected to discuss the DOJ request at its Thursday meeting.
Arkansas has recently received high marks for election integrity from the Conservative Heritage Foundation, which ranked the state first in the nation in 2025 and second in 2026. Those rankings suggest that the state’s election processes already meet rigorous standards, a point highlighted by local officials who support the monitors as an additional safeguard rather than a sign of trouble.
What voters should know
Voters in Pulsey and Washington counties can expect to see federal observers stationed at polling places, primarily outside the voting booths, to watch for any potential violations of federal law. The monitors are required to remain neutral and are not authorized to ask voters for personal information or otherwise interfere with the act of voting.
Both parties encourage residents to exercise their right to vote confidently, knowing that federal oversight is intended to reinforce, not undermine, the integrity of Arkansas’ elections.
Original reporting: KATV Little Rock (local) — read the source article.
