The Justice Department has announced it will deploy federal monitors to oversee off-year elections in California and New Jersey. This move comes amidst ongoing claims of voter fraud from former President Donald Trump and his aides, who continue to contest the legitimacy of the 2020 election results. The monitoring is viewed by some as a potential precursor to broader federal involvement in state elections, particularly as the 2026 congressional elections approach.
California Governor Gavin Newsom expressed concern over the implications of this federal oversight, stating, “This is a preview of 2026. Wake up, everybody.” The Justice Department contends the monitoring is a routine measure aimed at ensuring transparency and compliance with federal law. Yet, critics argue that the move is influenced by persistent allegations of fraud, particularly surrounding mail-in voting, which Trump has frequently denounced.
In recent statements, Trump reiterated the need to prevent a repeat of the 2020 election, declaring, “We can never let what happened in the 2020 election happen again.” His administration has appointed several individuals who have previously questioned the integrity of the election process to positions related to election security. This includes Heather Honey, appointed as deputy secretary of homeland security for election integrity, who suggested declaring a “national emergency” to implement new election rules.
Concerns extend beyond California’s monitoring. Newsom and Illinois Governor J. B. Pritzker, both potential candidates for the 2028 Democratic presidential nomination, fear that federal actions, such as sending National Guard troops to various cities, may signify a larger agenda aimed at influencing future elections. Pritzker emphasized the unprecedented nature of the Justice Department’s demand for detailed state voter data, warning that it could be used to substantiate unverified claims of widespread fraud.
As California prepares for a referendum regarding congressional district redistricting, and New Jersey elects a new governor, the federal monitoring in these states is infused with political significance. Critics, including Pritzker, argue that the administration’s efforts appear to target the upcoming elections, stating, “When you put all these things together, it’s not a leap to say that he’s doing this because he wants to affect the 2026 elections in favor of MAGA.”
Historically, federal monitors have been dispatched during elections, but this instance raises eyebrows as there are no federal elections scheduled in the immediate future. Notably, the Justice Department’s involvement is largely a response to local Republican criticisms surrounding mail-in voting procedures.
The New York Times has reported that a significant goal of these federal actions is to substantiate claims of illegal voting by non-citizens. To date, however, many states have resisted providing the requested voter information, leading the department to file lawsuits against eight states, including California. In an attempt to assess the extent of illegal voting in Texas, state officials discovered only 2,724 non-citizens registered out of 18.6 million voters, a minuscule fraction of approximately 0.01%.
The executive order signed by Trump in March mandated proof of citizenship for voter registration and prohibited the counting of mail-in ballots received after Election Day, even if postmarked by that date. Federal courts have since blocked the enforcement of the citizenship requirement.
As the situation evolves, the scrutiny of the Justice Department’s monitoring efforts may reveal more about the administration’s long-term intentions regarding election integrity and federal involvement in state processes. With both Newsom and Pritzker closely observing these developments, the political landscape remains charged as the nation heads toward future elections.
