The Justice Department blasted Virginia Democratic Attorney General Jay Jones’ Election Day guidance as “bluster and political posturing,” pushing back against his 10-page directive advising local election officials to call police when federal agents approach polling places and to document their activities.
The Oct. 15 bulletin, jointly issued by Jones’ office and the Virginia Department of Elections, outlines how officials should respond to federal agents, scrutinize requests from DOJ election monitors and prepare for potential federal demands for ballots and voting equipment.
The dispute comes as conservative litigation firm America First Legal pursues records concerning the state’s warnings about potential federal election interference, which Fox News Digital has learned.
“The Virginia Attorney General’s performative actions attack a strawman,” a DOJ spokesperson told Fox News Digital. “DOJ’s election monitors will be engaging in the same routine monitoring we’ve done for decades.”
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“We’re hopeful local election officials in Virginia continue their longstanding practice of allowing DOJ election monitors into polling places to evaluate for compliance with federal law,” the spokesperson continued. “The Virginia AG’s statement reads as nothing more than bluster and political posturing for his own self-interested purposes.”
DOJ has already announced it plans to send election monitors to Democratic-heavy Fairfax and Prince William Counties.
Del. Wren Williams, R-Stuart, an attorney who battled Jones over Democrats’ failed redistricting-related litigation, said Jones has his election-security priorities backward.
“Jay Jones wants poll workers collecting ICE agents’ badge numbers, but God forbid they verify a voter’s ID,” Williams said. “Plus, I thought Democrats said illegals weren’t voting, so who exactly is Jones trying to protect?”
MAP IT: DOJ ILLEGAL VOTING CRACKDOWN SWEEPS 17 STATES AS RAZOR-THIN ELECTIONS FACE SCRUTINY
Virginia still requires voters to present identification or sign an identity confirmation statement, although legislation enacted this year eliminated Election Day challenges to individual voters’ qualifications at polling places.
The blueprint noted that ELECT — the Virginia elections agency — received multiple inquiries about how to respond to federal representatives showing up at polls.
It instructed election officials to consult with lawyers and establish communications with local prosecutors and police:
“Having these discussions prior to Election Day ensures that election officials can provide their perspective to local law enforcement about what counts as intimidation and interference during elections, including issues related to the presence of unauthorized individuals.”
“If, for example, an armed individual attempts to gain access to a polling location, officials should call local law enforcement immediately,” it added in a section addressing unauthorized individuals and prohibited conduct.
The bulletin separately advises officials to consider contacting police and counsel if federal agents approach or enter polls, while cautioning against physically obstructing them.
The Justice Department blasted Virginia Democratic Attorney General Jay Jones’ Election Day guidance as “bluster and political posturing,” pushing back against his 10-page directive advising local election officials to call police when federal agents approach polling places and to document their activities.
The Oct. 15 bulletin, jointly issued by Jones’ office and the Virginia Department of Elections, outlines how officials should respond to federal agents, scrutinize requests from DOJ election monitors and prepare for potential federal demands for ballots and voting equipment.
The dispute comes as conservative litigation firm America First Legal pursues records concerning the state’s warnings about potential federal election interference, which Fox News Digital has learned.
“The Virginia Attorney General’s performative actions attack a strawman,” a DOJ spokesperson told Fox News Digital. “DOJ’s election monitors will be engaging in the same routine monitoring we’ve done for decades.”
SPANBERGER AG DRAWS FIRE OVER TWO-FRONT FIGHT AGAINST TRUMP ENFORCEMENT AGENDA
“We’re hopeful local election officials in Virginia continue their longstanding practice of allowing DOJ election monitors into polling places to evaluate for compliance with federal law,” the spokesperson continued. “The Virginia AG’s statement reads as nothing more than bluster and political posturing for his own self-interested purposes.”
DOJ has already announced it plans to send election monitors to Democratic-heavy Fairfax and Prince William Counties.
Del. Wren Williams, R-Stuart, an attorney who battled Jones over Democrats’ failed redistricting-related litigation, said Jones has his election-security priorities backward.
“Jay Jones wants poll workers collecting ICE agents’ badge numbers, but God forbid they verify a voter’s ID,” Williams said. “Plus, I thought Democrats said illegals weren’t voting, so who exactly is Jones trying to protect?”
MAP IT: DOJ ILLEGAL VOTING CRACKDOWN SWEEPS 17 STATES AS RAZOR-THIN ELECTIONS FACE SCRUTINY
Virginia still requires voters to present identification or sign an identity confirmation statement, although legislation enacted this year eliminated Election Day challenges to individual voters’ qualifications at polling places.
The blueprint noted that ELECT — the Virginia elections agency — received multiple inquiries about how to respond to federal representatives showing up at polls.
It instructed election officials to consult with lawyers and establish communications with local prosecutors and police:
“Having these discussions prior to Election Day ensures that election officials can provide their perspective to local law enforcement about what counts as intimidation and interference during elections, including issues related to the presence of unauthorized individuals.”
“If, for example, an armed individual attempts to gain access to a polling location, officials should call local law enforcement immediately,” it added in a section addressing unauthorized individuals and prohibited conduct.
The bulletin separately advises officials to consider contacting police and counsel if federal agents approach or enter polls, while cautioning against physically obstructing them.
