The Department of Justice has asked to access 2020 election voting equipment in two Missouri counties, prompting pushback from local officials and concerns about federal overreach. According to a memo shared with the Associated Press, DOJ officials contacted Jasper and McDonald County clerks in August seeking access to their Dominion Voting Systems machines.
Both clerks declined. McDonald County Clerk Jessica Cole cited state and federal laws prohibiting unauthorized access. Jasper County Clerk Charlie Davis told the DOJ he no longer had the equipment.
The request appears part of a broader effort by the Trump administration’s DOJ to increase federal oversight of state-run elections. The agency has also requested full voter registration lists from officials in at least 23 states, in some cases issuing threats of legal action for noncompliance.
Critics say the DOJ lacks both legal authority and technical capacity to evaluate voting machines. “The Justice Department has no jurisdiction over voting machines,” said David Becker, a former DOJ attorney.
Dominion has been central to debunked conspiracy theories alleging fraud in the 2020 election. The company won defamation settlements from Fox News and Newsmax totaling over $850 million.
Missouri clerks say they are barred from handing over machines. The DOJ did not respond to comment.
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