Federal election monitors coming to Virginia, but not metro-Richmond area

RICHMOND, Va. (WWBT) - Expect to see federal election monitors at some polls on Tuesday.

The Department of Justice is announcing Virginia is on the list.

“They request to monitor in certain localities to and they provide generally speaking like the authority or the law that is the purpose of them monitoring is to monitor compliance with certain statues,” said Steven Koski, Virginia Commissioner of Elections.

During a pre-election briefing with journalists, Commissioner of Elections Steven Koski said the department of justice has notified several localities about the move.

While none with be in the metro-Richmond area, Virginia Beach, Charlottesville along with Fairfax and Prince William Counties will see those monitors.

“This was inevitable. Let me stress. This is a complete waste of money, your money and mine taxpayer dollars,” said Larry Sabato, UVa Center for Politics Executive Director.

Virginia had federal election monitors on the ground during the August primaries too.

The commissioner saying that they were unaware of any major problems during that visit.

Though he did say some monitors had to be reminded of the strict rules of not interfering with the process.

“Like with other observers as well again our law they have the right to see and hear what is occurring and so they don’t have the right to ask questions or demand information or roam freely around the polling location,” said Commissioner Koski.

The DOJ described the monitoring effort as a continuation of a longstanding federal practice used by both Republican and Democratic administrations.

The focus on election integrity comes after President Donald Trump’s repeated voter fraud claims over the years.

But those in charge of elections here say they are always secure and accurate.

“They’re federal officials and they’re not supposed to interfere, and they’re supposed to remain in certain places, but this is not an administration that plays according to the rules,” said Sabato.

The commissioner says they are meeting with DOJ officials this week to ask questions and see if there are any additional requests.