The U.S. Department of Justice plans to deploy federal election monitors to four Pennsylvania counties during the November 3 midterm elections as part of a nationwide effort to oversee compliance with federal voting laws.
Federal monitors will be assigned to Philadelphia, Allegheny, Luzerne and Lehigh counties, according to multiple reports of a notification sent to Pennsylvania Secretary of State Al Schmidt. Franklin, Fulton, Cumberland, and surrounding regional counties were not listed.
The Justice Department says the monitors will observe election activities, document potential violations and ensure compliance with federal voting rights laws. They will not have authority to interfere with voting procedures, handle ballots or direct election workers.
The monitoring effort is part of an expanded nationwide operation under the Trump administration. Justice Department officials previously announced plans to deploy approximately 1,000 federal monitors across the country, compared with 714 personnel assigned during the 2024 presidential election.
Voters remember the 2020 presidential election in Philadelphia, some windows at the Pennsylvania Convention Center were covered with paper while election workers counted mail-in ballots.
Pennsylvania election officials emphasize that county election offices remain responsible for conducting elections and that all federal personnel must follow applicable state and federal laws.
Pennsylvania voters will head to the polls Tuesday, November 3, with federal monitors expected to observe voting activities in the designated counties.