DOJ monitors voting in Portage County, Ohio

Portage County Sheriff Bruce Zuchowski posted on Facebook last month that people should “note all addresses” of residents carrying Harris signs in their yards, so immigrants can be sent to live with them. Zuchowski later claimed the message had been “a little misinterpreted.”

The county board of elections, days after publication, voted to remove the Sheriff’s Department from election security used for in-person early voting. On Tuesday, the DOJ said it would monitor compliance with federal election laws in the county during early voting and on Election Day.

“Voters in Portage County have raised concerns about intimidation resulting from surveillance and the collection of personal voter information, as well as threats to the election process. Attempts or attempts to intimidate, threaten or coerce any person into voting and related activities or to induce or assist others to vote are prohibited by Section 11(b) of the Voting Act. Voting Rights Act of 1965,” the Justice Department said in a press release.

The county sheriff’s office told Associated Press Tuesday, “DOJ’s monitoring of polling places/precincts is conducted nationally and is not unique to Portage County. This is normal DOJ practice.

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Early voting in Ohio began earlier this month and will continue through November 3. Election Day in the state and across the country is November 5.

Ohio is considered “solid Republican” for the presidential race by the Cook’s Political Reportafter voting for former President Donald Trump in 2016 and 2020, but will experience one of the most hotly contested Senate races, between Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) and Republican Bernie Moreno. The Senate race has been called a “toss-up” by the Cook’s Political Report and could play a crucial role in Republicans’ chances of winning a majority in the House.