In a bold legal move, Missouri's top officials have initiated a lawsuit against federal government election oversight efforts.

Missouri's Republican secretary of state and attorney general are seeking to bar Department of Justice monitors from polling sites, claiming that their presence violates state law, as Fox News reports.

The lawsuit, filed on Monday by Missouri Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft and Attorney General Andrew Bailey, targets the Department of Justice's (DOJ) plan to send election monitors to the state.

The state officials argue that this federal involvement is not permitted under state law, which restricts polling place access to authorized personnel only.

DOJ Election Monitoring Intensifies Nationwide

The DOJ intended to deploy monitors in 86 voting jurisdictions across 27 states, marking a significant increase from the 2020 election.

This deployment is part of a longstanding federal effort to oversee elections and ensure they are conducted fairly, an initiative the government says is being done pursuant to the 1965 Voting Rights Act.

The increased federal monitoring comes as Missouri has implemented more restrictive laws regarding election oversight.

In 2022, the state passed a law explicitly banning DOJ officials from entering polling places, a move similar to actions taken in Florida.

Despite these laws, past agreements, such as one in 2021 with St. Louis' Board of Elections, permitted DOJ officials to monitor elections within the city, showcasing the complexity and variability of local and federal interactions.

Missouri Officials Decry Federal Overreach

Secretary Ashcroft has been vocal in his opposition to what he views as federal intrusion. "No one is above the law," Ashcroft stated, emphasizing that the federal government's attempts to place monitors at polling sites are outright illegal.

"This is a repeat performance," Ashcroft elaborated, recalling a prior meeting with the DOJ where he informed them of Missouri's laws and their lack of jurisdiction in this matter.

Despite this, he claims the DOJ has persisted in trying to influence Missouri's election procedures indirectly.

Bailey also took to social media to express his concerns, particularly pointing out the involvement of Vice President Kamala Harris and what he perceives as the introduction of "unvetted individuals" into Missouri's electoral process.

Election Security and Voter Trust at Forefront

Ashcroft's statements highlight a deep-seated belief in Missouri's ability to conduct fair elections without federal intervention.

He praised the efforts of local election authorities and poll workers who contribute to what he described as non-partisan and secure elections.

"Rather than contaminate the process - like in Virginia and Alabama, the DOJ should consider the Show-Me State as the example for other states when it comes to sound non-partisan elections," Ashcroft said, criticizing federal tactics he views as intimidating to Missouri voters.

The secretary of state also assured voters of the integrity of the ongoing electoral process, noting that voting had been proceeding smoothly for weeks ahead of Election Day.

"The secretary of state's office has full confidence in our election authorities," he concluded, extending thanks to those involved in the electoral process across Missouri.