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PODCAST
October 26, 2026 ~ Chris Renwick and Lloyd Jackson speak with Jonathan Brater, director of the Michigan Bureau of Elections. They discuss Justice Department election monitors, what poll watchers can and cannot do, and the smooth primary.
DETROIT ~ As early voting continues across Michigan, some voters may notice federal election monitors at select polling locations. The U.S. Department of Justice says the monitors are there to help ensure compliance with federal voting rights laws and protect access to the ballot box.
State election officials say the presence of federal monitors is a routine part of federal elections and is not expected to disrupt voting. For Michigan residents casting ballots, the focus remains on local poll workers and clerks who oversee the process and help ensure elections run smoothly.
