The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has announced plans to send election monitors to Arkansas’ two most populous counties, Pulaski and Washington, on Election Day. However, Washington County has voted not to grant the monitors access inside its polling locations, citing insufficient notice from federal authorities. The decision comes as early voting continues across Arkansas, with nearly 280,000 ballots already cast.
Washington County’s Election Commission stated its objection during a recent meeting, referencing the accuracy of its April recount in the Republican secretary of state primary runoff as evidence of its election integrity. Commissioner Matt Mendenhall criticized the DOJ’s delayed communication. “Your lack of planning is not our emergency,” Mendenhall said, adding that monitors should come prepared if they wish to observe.
The Pulaski County Election Commission is scheduled to meet Thursday evening to decide whether to allow monitors within its polling places. Amanda Dickens, Pulaski County’s elections coordinator, said DOJ officials have stated that four to six monitors will be sent. According to Dickens, the monitors will be in plainclothes and stationed at least 100 feet from polling locations. She emphasized that their role will not involve direct intervention. "They're just going to be like a fly on the wall," she said, adding that any interaction with voters would be limited to asking about their experiences.
The DOJ oversees polling locations nationwide to ensure compliance with federal election laws, a practice that requires cooperation from local officials. Nationwide, monitors are expected to be deployed across all 50 states this election cycle.
Some Arkansas officials have raised concerns about federal monitoring. Republican Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders previously criticized potential DOJ involvement, telling ABC News in 2024 that her administration would not allow federal officials to “improperly intimidate or unduly influence” Arkansas voters. This week, her spokesperson Sam Dubke reiterated that the state remains committed to facilitating secure elections, stating the administration will continue working with federal and state partners to make voting “easy to vote and hard to cheat.”
Secretary of State Cole Jester’s office expressed no objections to the monitoring effort, underscoring the importance of public trust. “Transparency and accountability are essential to maintaining public trust,” Jester said through a spokesperson.
Pulaski County’s decision on whether to allow monitors inside polling places is expected after its Thursday meeting. For now, the DOJ's role in Arkansas remains limited to outside observation unless granted greater access.