Pulaski County Election Board Votes 2-1 to Deny Federal Monitors

The Pulaski County Board of Election Commissioners voted 2-1 on Thursday, Oct. 29, to deny a Justice Department request to send monitors to polling sites on Election Day, KUAR reported.

The department plans to monitor the Nov. 3 election in Pulaski and Washington counties, calling it routine work it has done for decades, KATV reported Oct. 26. It has not said why those counties were chosen. Washington County’s election commission voted Oct. 26 not to allow monitors inside polling locations, KATV reported.

According to KUAR, County Clerk Terri Hollingsworth recommended denial, citing short notice and possible voter intimidation. Commissioner Steve Harrelson, who made the motion, called it a state-versus-federal matter, and Chairman Raymond Jarvis said testimony about the effect on staff and the short notice swayed him. Commissioner Marianne Harrington dissented, saying denial could suggest the county has something to hide and that the monitors were there to check basic federal compliance.

KUAR reported the monitors would wear plainclothes, identify themselves to any voters they interview and receive two hours of training.