FBI agent, federal prosecutor assigned to monitor election

[Judi Lynn]

Source: Associated Press


CEDAR ATTANASIO,
AP/Report for America
Oct. 5, 2020
Updated: Oct. 5, 2020 9:27 p.m.

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Federal law enforcement authorities are stepping up their vigilance of elections violations by establishing an FBI command post in Albuquerque and assigning a prosecutor to monitor complaints or threats.

The precautionary effort is unprecedented in recent memory and was announced in a joint news conference Monday attended by New Mexico Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver and officials from the FBI and U.S. Attorney's office.

The command center will be supervised by FBI Special Agent in Charge Jim Langenberg and staffed 24 hours per day. It will be up and running by Election Day and in the succeeding days as votes are tallied.

The process of tallying ballots is likely to take more time than usual in November because of a massive surge in absentee balloting that is already underway in response to the coronavirus pandemic.

Read more: https://www.chron.com/news/article/FBI-agent-federal-prosecutor-assigned-to-monitor-15623169.php

[Thrax]

1. FBI

Pffft.

[OldBaldy1701E]

4. Yep, window dressings for the fans (n/t)

[gab13by13]

2. As long as Wray is directing it

it will be legit.

[bucolic_frolic]

3. Don't know enough to form much of an opinion

One man who knows what he's doing and has free reign is better than 13 regional offices who can't agree on methods or turf, and I suppose with electronic methods and the FBI apparatus it will be a good effort, but 2 guys for the whole country seems a bit light.

[Karma13612]

5. And there is minimal help from

The UN Election Monitors this year as well.

Sad state of affairs.

[Karma13612]

6. Although it isn't crystal clear from the linked article,

I think this action is focused on New Mexico.
For those concerned that this is meant to cover the whole US, I don’t think that’s the case.

I am curious if other outposts are being set up across the country.

[stillcool]

8. seems that way to me...

sounds like their taking Trump's threats serious.

Toulouse Oliver expressed appreciation that federal authorities are putting extra resources toward safeguarding the integrity of the election.

“New Mexicans should be extra vigilant about the election information they encounter, and rely on state and local election officials for trusted information about voting,” Oliver said in a statement.
=======================
State secretary Oliver encouraged New Mexicans to contact county party leaders who select and train official poll watchers in response to questions about Trump's rallying of unofficial poll watchers. She said it's against state law to intimidate voters or to campaign within 100 feet of a polling place. Election monitors from both political parties may call on state police to enforce the laws.

[PSPS]

7. The FBI and federal prosecutors are now Barr's tools.