NAACP takes emergency legal action to block federal agents from polling sites

The civil rights organization says the DOJ’s election monitoring plan could intimidate voters, particularly Black voters, and interfere with access to the ballot.

The NAACP is taking emergency legal action to keep federal law enforcement agents from serving as election monitors at polling sites, warning that their presence could intimidate voters and threaten access to the ballot.

The civil rights organization filed an emergency Temporary Restraining Order in NAACP v. Blanche, challenging the Justice Department’s plans to deploy federal personnel during the 2026 midterm elections.

According to the NAACP’s announcement of the legal action, the organization obtained details of the DOJ’s election monitoring strategy through litigation under the Freedom of Information Act.

While the department has said it does not plan to deploy FBI or Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents to polling locations, the NAACP says the DOJ intends to send personnel from the Bureau of Prisons, Drug Enforcement Administration and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

Kristen Clarke, the NAACP’s general counsel, said the presence of law enforcement officers could have an intimidating effect on voters, particularly Black voters.

“The law is clear – law enforcement agents can have an intimidating effect on voters, especially Black voters, and they have no role and no right to be inside our polling places,” Clarke said.

She added that the organization is working to ensure voters can participate without fear.

“We are taking action to ensure that the path to the ballot box remains free from harassment and intimidation for all voters on Election Day,” Clarke said.

Carmen Daugherty, executive director of the NAACP’s Advancement Project, also criticized the DOJ’s approach, calling it “voter intimidation.”

The organization is urging Americans to continue exercising their right to vote, noting that more than 54 million people had already cast ballots as of the announcement.

The NAACP’s nationwide field operation is mobilizing more than 6.5 million Black voters across battleground states, with more than 52,000 volunteers working to engage voters.

The organization is also encouraging voters who experience problems at polling locations to call 866-OUR-VOTE or report concerns through NAACP.org/vote.

With Election Day approaching, the NAACP says it will continue fighting to protect voting rights and ensure every eligible voter can cast a ballot without intimidation.