The U.S. Department of Justice announced plans to monitor the election process in eight Massachusetts cities next week to protect voters’ rights. This initiative is part of a larger effort across 27 states to monitor compliance with federal voting rights laws in 86 jurisdictions. The cities of Everett, Fitchburg, Leominster, Lowell, Malden, Methuen, Quincy, and Salem are included in Massachusetts. Quincy’s elections chair emphasized the importance of ensuring every eligible voter has the opportunity to cast a ballot, including offering ballots in multiple languages.
The DOJ’s Civil Rights Division will coordinate election monitoring efforts with personnel from various departments. Early in-person voting in Massachusetts ended on Friday, but mail-in ballots will be accepted through Election Day, with nearly one-third of registered voters having already returned their ballots. Election officials in Quincy and Brockton reported high voter turnout during early voting days, with Brockton’s Mayor emphasizing the importance of accommodating residents’ needs.
The DOJ’s list also includes Rhode Island cities such as Pawtucket, Providence, and Woonsocket. The presence of federal monitors underscores the commitment to upholding voting rights and ensuring a fair election process. As the election draws near, efforts to protect voters’ rights and promote accessibility to the ballot box remain a top priority for election officials and government agencies across the country.
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