WASHINGTON, Nov. 2 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. Justice Department on Friday announced that it is sending more than 780 federal observers and monitors to 23 states across the country to watch for potential voting rights violations in the Nov. 6 presidential election.
The department said that the observers will go to 51 jurisdictions in those states to help enforce federal voting rights laws, which protect ballot access.
The observers will also be watching over voting procedures. Media reports said that one reason for the dispatchment was to prevent discrimination based on languages and ethnicity. The officials will also ensure that voters with disabilities are accommodated, and that no procedures are used to subject voters to different procedures on the basis of race, color or national origin.
Many of the locations being targeted for the 2012 general election have also appeared on similar lists for past elections. Justice officials say the federal monitors will maintain a low profile, and will not be involved in the voting process unless problems arise.
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