Summary

Federal judges in Texas and Missouri denied requests from the Republican-led states to block the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) from sending monitors to observe polling sites on Election Day.

Texas argued that federal monitors would undermine state election laws, while Missouri claimed it would displace state officials. The DOJ routinely monitors compliance with federal voting rights laws across various states, including Missouri, where a prior settlement allows DOJ oversight of certain polling locations.

Meanwhile, Donald Trump has encouraged his supporters to observe polling sites, citing unproven claims of election fraud.