Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon Criticizes Aggressive Tactics Used by Federal Election Monitors During State Primary Elections

Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon expressed concern over the "aggressive" and "disruptive" behavior of Justice Department election monitors during last week's primary elections. The monitors, sent by the administration, arrived at polling sites in Laramie County without advance notice and attempted to interview voters and inspect voting machines. Governor Mark Gordon noted that the federal observers seemed to exceed the authority granted by Congress and acted with a lack of respect for state electoral processes. Local officials reported that the monitors only showed their credentials when asked, which some viewed as a disregard for Wyoming's laws. While the administration maintains that the monitors are following decades-long federal practices to ensure every lawful vote is protected, the governor has asked the state attorney general to investigate the nature of the visits. This criticism comes as President Trump continues to address election integrity and seeks to influence the upcoming midterms.

Sources

• AP News
  Wyoming governor requests investigation into activity of Justice Department monitors during primary
• The New York Times
  Wyoming Governor Objects to ‘Very Odd’ D.O.J. Election Monitoring
• CNN
  Republican governor asks his AG to look into ‘aggressive’ behavior by Trump admin’s election monitors
• MS NOW
  Opinion | Wyoming’s GOP governor rebukes ‘aggressive’ behavior by federal election monitors
• The Washington Post
  Wyoming governor decries ‘aggressive’ behavior of federal election monitors