DOJ plans election monitors in East Lansing for Aug. 4 primary

The U.S. Department of Justice notified East Lansing, Lansing and Detroit in late June that federal election monitors would be deployed to polling locations during the Aug. 4 primary election.

The department questioned East Lansing’s compliance with several election laws, including the Help America Vote Act, and requested voter registration records, polling and precinct maps, election worker training materials and staffing plans for primary precincts.

East Lansing City Clerk Emily Gordon said the city’s elections are fair, secure and transparent and comply with state and federal law. Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel and Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson said DOJ monitoring does not give the department authority to interfere with state or local election administration or demand access to election materials.

Michigan has begun public accuracy tests before the primary to ensure voting machines accurately count ballots and that equipment includes security measures. Lansing opened its election headquarters for testing on July 20.

Read the full story at The State News.