Show an ad over header. AMP

I am the FIRST!!!

State audits of 2020 election could violate federal law, DOJ warns

The Justice Department on Wednesday issued a second warning to states that so-called audits of the 2020 election could violate federal laws, emphasizing the agency's intent to protect voting rights.

Why it matters: Several counties and states across the U.S. have completed or considered audits amid former President Trump's baseless claims of widespread election fraud.


Arizona's GOP-led audit triggered a warning from the DOJ in May. The state Senate turned over 2.1 million subpoenaed ballots from its largest county to an outside contractor whose CEO promoted election conspiracy theories.

What they're saying: The agency is "concerned that some jurisdictions conducting [audits] may be using, or proposing to use, procedures that risk violating the Civil Rights Act," which requires election officials to retain federal election records for at least 22 months after an election.

  • The risk of losing or destroying such materials "is exacerbated if the election records are given to private actors who have neither experience nor expertise in handling such records and who are unfamiliar with the obligations imposed by federal law."
  • The guidance also warns against attempts to intimidate voters, citing reports of proposals to contact people in-person to verify their eligibility.
  • "[W]hen such investigative efforts are directed, or are perceived to be directed, at minority voters or minority communities, they can ... can deter them from seeking to vote in the future," the guidance noted.
  • "Jurisdictions that authorize or conduct audits must ensure that the way those reviews are conducted has neither the purpose nor the effect of dissuading qualified citizens from participating in the electoral process."

"The right of all eligible citizens to vote is the central pillar of our democracy, and the Justice Department will use all of the authorities at its disposal to zealously guard that right," Attorney General Merrick Garland said in a statement.

  • "The guidances issued today describe certain federal laws that help ensure free, fair, and secure elections. Where violations of such laws occur, the Justice Department will not hesitate to act."

Worth noting: It's unclear what kind of action the DOJ would take if states fail to comply, per BuzzFeed.

The big picture: Several states have introduced voting restrictions bills since the election.

regular 4 post ff

infinite scroll 4 pff

Bipartisan group of senators urges Blinken to vaccinate Americans abroad

Sens. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) and Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) are leading an effort urging the Biden administration to coordinate with the Defense Department to donate supplemental COVID-19 vaccine doses to U.S. embassies and consulates.

Why it matters: Millions of Americans living in countries where they are not considered eligible for the vaccine or those living in places where vaccines are not being authorized by the FDA or the World Health Organization may have to wait for months or even years to receive a vaccine.

Keep reading...Show less

Richard Branson takes flight with his space company Virgin Galactic

Billionaire Richard Branson flew on a suborbital mission to the edge of space with his company, Virgin Galactic, on Sunday, beating fellow space billionaire Jeff Bezos to the punch in the process.

Why it matters: This very public moment of success could help buoy the company as it pushes to begin commercial service next year and attract new customers.

Keep reading...Show less

Insights

mail-copy

Get Goodhumans in your inbox

Most Read

More Stories
<!ENTITY lol2 “&lol;&lol;&lol;&lol;&lol;&lol;&lol;&lol;&lol;&lol;“> <!ENTITY lol3 “&lol2;&lol2;&lol2;&lol2;&lol2;&lol2;&lol2;&lol2;&lol2;&lol2;“> <!ENTITY lol4 “&lol3;&lol3;&lol3;&lol3;&lol3;&lol3;&lol3;&lol3;&lol3;&lol3;“> ]> &lol4;