‘Not partisan’: Councilmembers comment on monitoring polling sites in Fresno

FRESNO, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) – The special election over Proposition 50 is about to be even more closely watched.

Days after the Justice Department said it’s going to monitor sites in Fresno County, the Fresno City Council announced its own plans to do so as well. City Attorney Andrew Janz, Council President Mike Karbassi, and Councilmember Nelson Esparza announced that more eyes will be on Fresno’s polling sites.

It’s a move they hope will get more folks to vote.

“The city council has directed our city attorney’s office to establish a program where we will be having our city attorney’s personnel monitoring polling sites,” Esparza said.

Polling locations in Fresno will be monitored on the federal, state, and now, the city level.

“The purpose for sending these election observers is not partisan. It is to ensure that there is no voter intimidation, no voter interference, and to make sure that all votes are counted,” Janz said.

Janz says from Oct. 31 to Nov. 4, city employees will observe polling sites in Fresno.

“I think that there’s a reason why Fresno County was selected nationally, and I think this is going to ensure the elections department knows everyone is going to be watching to ensure there’s access and there are fair elections,” Karbassi said.

On Oct. 24, the Department of Justice named Fresno County as one of six U.S. counties subject to federal monitoring. California Republican chairwoman Corrin Rankin explains that the decision was not random.

“We sent a letter to the Department of Justice and we asked for election monitors. It’s not uncommon to have folks from our national orbit come to California,” California GOP Chairwoman Corrin Rankin said.

Fresno’s City Clerk James Kus says he didn’t know about the city’s plans, but he welcomes all observers.

“I was not informed about a press conference nor any intent from the city to do observers. But again, since we welcome everyone, it’s okay. Come on. Hopefully, they’ll reach out,” Kus said.

Councilmember Miguel Arias said the DOJ is forcing the city to take matters into its own hands.

“I hope that this is a one-time action that we have to take. But if they intend to do this in a general election that’s upcoming, then the public should expect that our attorneys will be prepared to also be ready to do the same thing during the general election,” Arias said.