Federal officials to monitor election activity across Michigan - Axios DetroitLog InLog InAxios Detroit is an Axios company.

Federal officials to monitor election activity across Michigan

Illustration: Annelise Capossela/Axios Officials with the U.S. Department of Justice are in today, including Detroit. Why it matters: Intimidating voters is a , and the U.S. attorneys for the Eastern and Western Districts of Michigan have stated that they will address any harassment or threats related to this election.Voter advocacy groups are hoping to make sure voters won't be intimidated or afraid to show up to their polling place. What they're saying: " is part of a well-maintained system to destabilize and mute Black and brown voices here in Detroit," Detroit Action executive director Branden Snyder told reporters Monday. "Already, far-right extremists are using their own confusion about voting to try to sow disinformation about the process," Snyder said. Of note: Those who need to report a problem should call or text 866-OUR-VOTE or 1-800-253-3921 to contact the DOJ Civil Rights Division, which is taking public complaints throughout the day. Catch up quick: In 2020, the effort backed by former President Trump to was 's absentee counting board inside the Huntington Place center. Meanwhile, a Wayne County judge rejected GOP SOS candidate Kristina Karamo's lawsuit over absentee ballots in Detroit, which sought to invalidate mail-in voting in Detroit, by writing in that plaintiffs allegations failed "to produce any shred of evidence." Between the lines: Attorneys in said the city is being solely targeted for its "national reputation for having issues and problems in election integrity."While those skeptical of the process say the city's in 2020 was an "" election officials say nonbalanced precincts are actually a sign of good-faith clerical errors, not voter fraud.A precinct is "unbalanced" when the number of total ballots cast does not equal the number of voters recorded in that precinct's poll book, making them ineligible to be recounted. Get more local stories in your inbox with .Subscribe Support local journalism by becoming a member.

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