The Trump administration is sending federal election monitors into Marion and Lake counties on November 3, selecting the two Indiana counties with the state’s largest Black populations.
Marion County includes Indianapolis, while Lake County includes Gary.
Both counties are major Democratic strongholds, and both have significantly larger Black populations than any other county in Indiana.
The selection is raising questions about why these particular communities were chosen.
Marion County Clerk Kate Sweeney Bell says the Justice Department has not explained its criteria. Congressman André Carson has also questioned the decision, suggesting the racial and political makeup of the counties is no coincidence.
The Justice Department says its monitors are part of a nationwide election oversight effort and are prohibited from interfering with voters or election procedures.
Federal election monitoring itself is a longstanding practice used under Democratic and Republican administrations.
Still, with Election Day approaching, local officials are seeking answers about why Indianapolis and Lake County were selected.
Sources: WFYI, WISH-TV (Photo) Indiana Capital Chronicle, U.S. Department of Justice, U.S. Census Bureau.