We begin in California where on Tuesday voters will decide whether to move forward with plans to redraw the state's congressional maps in a move to counter Republican gerrymandering efforts elsewhere ahead of the 2026 midterms. Some of those polling locations may be a bit more crowded than usual because in addition to the Department of Justice sending federal election observers to five counties in Southern and Central California, including Los Angeles, California Attorney General Rob Bont has announced that ...

Election Monitoring & DOJ Deployment - The Justice Department plans to deploy election monitors to polling sites in California and New Jersey [1] - This deployment is unusual because it's happening during an off-year election when there are no candidates running for federal office [2] - In the past 20 years, the DOJ has only sent election monitors in off-year elections twice, in 2007 and 2013 [2] - Five of the six jurisdictions receiving federal poll watchers are in California, and one is in New Jersey [3] - Kern County, Riverside County, Fresno County (California), and Pic County (New Jersey) swung for Trump in the last presidential election [3] Potential Motives & Concerns - Some experts believe this is a test run for 2026, when there will be competitive congressional races [4] - Concerns exist that the monitors might be used for voter intimidation or to deter voters from showing up [8] - The DOJ might justify the New Jersey monitoring based on a 2020 investigation involving Patterson City Council members [9] - It's hard to see the connection between the DOJ's stated protection goals and the problems that occurred five years ago in Patterson, New Jersey [12] Political Commentary - Steve Bannon's comments about Trump running in 2028 are seen as an attempt to scare people [15] - Focus should be on the security and fairness of elections in 2026 rather than a potential Trump third term in 2028 [16]