Key facts
- Tens of thousands of volunteers are expected to monitor US polling places on election day.
- Democrats and outside groups are concerned about potential interference from President Donald Trump.
- The Justice Department and Republican-aligned groups will also have monitoring programs.
- The Democratic National Committee has a cybersecurity unit to monitor online misinformation.
- State Democratic parties have trained an estimated 10,000 volunteers, with Common Cause training 16,000 more.
Democrats and outside watchdogs are planning a significant presence at US polling places on election day, driven by concerns that President Donald Trump may use federal resources to interfere with the vote. This effort will be met by monitoring programs from the Justice Department and Republican-aligned groups, potentially creating an unprecedented situation at the polls. Volunteers are being trained to observe and report any concerning activities, with a focus on potential federal agent actions and online misinformation, including AI deepfakes. Various Democratic committees, activist groups, and non-profits are coordinating these efforts, while also conducting simulations of worst-case scenarios. The Department of Justice has already initiated legal actions related to ballot counting and certification in California and Alaska.