Dallas

U.S. Department of Justice Sending Staff to Monitor Dallas County Polling Places

The U.S. Department of Justice announced Monday it will be sending members of its Civil Rights Division to monitor polling places in Dallas County on Election Day.

In a news release, the agency said more than 500 personnel will be dispatched to polling places across 67 jurisdictions in 28 states.

Dallas County was one of three Texas counties included on that list and the only one in North Texas.

"The department will gather information on, among other things, whether voters are subject to different voting qualifications or procedures on the basis of race, color or membership in a language minority group," the department said in the release.

An agency spokesperson declined to comment on what prompted Dallas County to be included on the list. The U.S. Attorney's Office in Dallas also declined comment.

Dallas County Elections Administrator Toni Pippens-Poole said it's likely related to previous voting rights complaints and lawsuits that have been filed within Dallas County.

She added this is not the first time the DOJ has monitored Dallas County polling places and she welcomes their observation.

"We want the public to know that voter intimidation is not going to be tolerated," said Pippens-Poole. "Our election judges have a plan in place and are well trained."

Pippens-Poole said her department has taken steps to make sure they're compliant with all federal rules. All polling places with more than five percent Hispanic voters will have bilingual clerks, all polling places will have ADA-compliant machines available for any voters with disabilities, and each polling place will have provisional ballots for anyone who is unable to present an acceptable form of identification.

She added that previous evaluations by the DOJ have resulted in "very little, if any complaints."

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