DOJ to send election monitors to South Portland, Maine secretary of state says

READFIELD, Maine (WABI) - Maine’s secretary of state says the Justice Department will now send election monitors to South Portland as well as Portland and Lewiston.

Reason for added location

Secretary of State Shenna Bellows said the Justice Department did not give Maine a specific reason for sending monitors to an additional location. She said the department cited federal voting rights and election laws.

Monitors in other states

Bellows said she does not see Maine’s monitoring as connected to its litigation with the Trump administration. She said Justice Department monitors were sent to most states during the primaries and will be sent to all 50 states, including red states.

Bellows said, “Most voters had no idea that they were there. They were seated in the same place that any other observer at the polls is seated. They were plain clothes. They’re not in uniform of any sort. So for voters, the experience is the same: a safe, secure election free from any interference or intimidation.”

Rules for monitors

Bellows said Justice Department monitors cannot enter the voting area, handle ballots or equipment, or interact with voters. She said Maine election officials will enforce those rules.