DOJ to monitor voting in Ohio county, citing intimidation concerns

The Department of Justice (DOJ) announced Tuesday it will monitor voting in a county in northeast Ohio, citing intimidation concerns stemming from a social media post from a local sheriff about migrants.

The DOJ will deploy its staff to observe and ensure that Portage County is complying with federal voting rights laws during the early period and on Election Day, the department announced Tuesday. 

“Voters in Portage County have raised concerns about intimidation resulting from the surveillance and the collection of personal information regarding voters, as well as threats concerning the electoral process,” the release states.

The department added that it “regularly” has its staff monitor election law compliance all over the country, noting it deploys “federal observers from the Office of Personnel Management, where authorized by federal court order.” 

The news comes as Portage County Sheriff Bruce Zuchowski (R) was scrutinized over a post on social media in September, where he asserted that if Vice President Harris wins in November, they should jot down her supporter’s addresses and have migrants sent there, The Associated Press reported.

Zuchowski’s post, shared on his campaign account and personal Facebook profile, was seen as a threat to Democrats, while his backers argued he was utilizing his right to free speech and making a political statement. 

The American Civil Liberties Union of Ohio demanded in a letter that Zuchowski take down his post. The organization also threatened to sue the Republican sheriff.

He took down the Facebook post in late September, according to the AP.

Portage County Sheriff’s Office told the AP that “monitoring of voting locations/polls by the DOJ is conducted nationwide and is not unique to Portage County. This is a normal practice by the DOJ.”

The Associated Press contributed reporting.