By james art 
HOUSTON – Election Day is less than 24 hours away and the federal government is sending election observers to polling places across the country, but not here in Texas.
Poll workers and poll watchers are allowed in the polls, federal observers are the ones who are asked by the state to stay away from polling places.
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The federal government regularly sends observers to polling stations across the country to watch for any violations of voting rights. The Justice Department said it would send observers to 27 states on Election Day. However, the Texas Secretary of State rejected the offer.
“States are free to refuse federal oversight of polling places these days. Texas and several other states declined to do so this year,” said David Cole, a constitutional attorney.
In a letter sent to the Department of Justice on Friday, Jane Nelson, the Texas Secretary of State, wrote to the Department of Justice that under state law, observers are not allowed in the state’s polling places.
“We don’t need more federal intervention. There is no call for it,” said Tom Ramsey, a Republican Harris County commissioner.
“You’re trying to tell the federal government they have no business in federal elections?” said Democratic Rep. Gene Woo of Texas.
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Despite the states’ request, Harris County Democratic leaders are asking the Justice Department to bring federal observers to the polls.
“We’re asking for the Department of Justice to be here because Texas is one of the most vote-restrictive states in the nation,” said Democrat Rodney Ellis of Harris County.
District Democrats say the secretary of state’s refusal to allow federal surveillance is an attempt to suppress the vote, while Republicans counter that claim is baseless.
“I want voters to realize that all of the state’s efforts are designed to try to scare you into not voting,” Commissioner Ellis said.
“So who’s doing the voter suppression? The Democrats who are in charge of the election? It’s not the Republicans. We’re not responsible,” said Republican Sen. Paul Bettencourt of Texas.
“The fact that you have some friction between the federal and state governments, I think that’s good. I think it shows that there’s a check and balance on something that’s very important,” Cole said.
Despite the secretary of state’s request, Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia said she spoke with the DOJ on Monday and said federal observers are still on their way to be in Harris County during the election. It is not clear if they will go to polling stations or be on standby if something happens.