RNC and DNC deploy thousands of poll watchers, legal teams for Election Day and expected disputes

Both major political parties have organized and dispatched large teams around the country to monitor the polls on Election Day and gear up for the expected disputes. 

The Republican National Committee previously said that it would deploy “election integrity deputy state directors” in 22 highly contested states, including Arizona, Michigan, Georgia and North Carolina. The party also has 22,000 poll workers and is enlisting volunteer poll watchers for competitive districts. 

The Republicans also are encouraging supporters to report suspicious activity or alleged fraud at the polls via its protectthevote.com website. 

“Secure elections are the cornerstone of American democracy. Your help is critical to ensure the election is fair and honest – now is your chance to help America vote with confidence and do your part for election integrity. We need your help to stop voter suppression, irregularities, and fraud,” the website reads. “If you suspect anything, select your state below to submit a report today!” 

The RNC has engaged in an aggressive legal campaign ahead of the elections, saying in May that it was involved in more than 130 election integrity cases across 30 states. 

Democrats are also planning a massive surge in poll watchers, in part motivated by concerns that President Donald Trump will use the power of the federal government to interfere with the elections. The Trump Justice Department has dispatched a record number of election monitors–1,000–under a Republican administration. 

The Democratic National Committee has also, for the first time, launched an in-house litigation department in order to prepare for disputes over election procedures and rules. The department was established in August. 

Democratic state parties joined together in December to establish the New Battlefield Project with the goal of recruiting 10,000 poll watchers. 

The first test of the colossal party machines came early on Election Day when several polling locations in Westchester County, New York–at the center of a competitive congressional district that could determine control of Congress–experienced technical issues with ballot-counting machines. 

Both parties in the county joined together, “seeking a joint court order to require central tabulation of ballots at the County Board of Elections” in order to “ensure maximum transparency and accountability,” the RNC’s Election Integrity unit posted to social media.