Texas and Missouri Sue Biden Administration

Texas and Missouri Sue Biden Administration
Due to Deployment of Electoral Observers
Here are the Details

The attorneys general of Texas and Missouri filed lawsuits on Monday against the United States Department of Justice (DOJ) to prevent federal agents from supervising the elections at polling centers in both states, which are under Republican control.

The lawsuits seek to prevent federal observers from monitoring compliance with electoral norms on the day of the 2024 general elections.

The Biden administration had announced on November 1st that it would deploy dozens of federal officials in 27 states, including Texas and Missouri, to oversee the electoral process and ensure voter rights are upheld.

However, the attorneys general of both states argue that the deployment of observers is a form of «interference» by the federal government that violates local laws and jeopardizes the integrity of the electoral process.

Texas and Missouri Sue Biden Administration

Texas and Missouri file lawsuits against Biden administration for sending electoral observers. https://t.co/YmqgkRz8wQ

— exame (@exame) November 5, 2024

Missouri’s Secretary of State, John R. Ashcroft, who has jurisdiction over electoral matters, described the DOJ’s action as «illegal interference» in his state’s elections.

In a statement, Ashcroft expressed that Missouri «neither needs nor wants DOJ observers at its polling centers,» arguing that their presence could «intimidate voters and harass electoral workers.»

The official added that Missouri laws are clear about who can be present at polling centers during the electoral process, emphasizing that the DOJ has no authority to send observers.

Similarly, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton noted that state law prohibits the presence of federal observers at voting locations or vote counting stations.

The Role of Federal Observers

The deployment of federal observers during elections is not new.

The Department of Justice typically sends officials to monitor the electoral process and ensure federal law compliance, particularly regarding voter rights.

This time, the observers will focus on ensuring there is no racial discrimination, voter intimidation, or suppression, and that the rights of all citizens are respected, regardless of their race, color, national origin, or religion.

Observers will be present at polling centers in several key states, such as Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin.

However, if the lawsuits from Texas and Missouri are successful, observers will not be able to act in those states on election day, as reported by the EFE news agency.

Political Tensions and Conspiracy Theories

The 2024 general elections are marked by a climate of high political polarization.

The spread of conspiracy theories about the integrity of the electoral process, especially those promoted by former President Donald Trump and several Republican legislators, has increased tensions.

Among these theories is the unfounded claim that thousands of undocumented migrants will attempt to vote in the elections.

Such accusations have led some state authorities, like in Texas, to conduct purges of electoral registers, which have affected legitimate U.S. citizens, leaving them without the right to vote.

Moreover, concerns about possible election-related violence and disorders have also risen.

A Complicated Context on Election Day

The current electoral context unfolds amid a fierce presidential race between Democrat Kamala Harris, the Vice President of the U.S., and Republican Donald Trump, who seeks to return to the White House. In this tense climate, the Department of Justice has bolstered its presence in several states to protect the integrity of the vote, a step that has been criticized by Republican leaders in states governed by their party.

As Election Day approaches, the outcome of these lawsuits could significantly impact how elections are conducted in Texas and Missouri, two of the most politically influential states in the U.S. The court ruling on these lawsuits is eagerly awaited, as it could set a precedent on federal government intervention in state electoral processes.

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