Judge Orders Republican National Committee to Disclose Any Poll Watching Activities

Donald Trump representatives have said the campaign is working with RNC on ballot security, which Democrats allege violates 1982 settlement.

A federal judge has ordered the Republican National Committee to explain in detail whether it is running any poll watching or “ballot security” operations in conjunction with Donald Trump’s presidential campaign.

In a sweeping order just days before Election Day, U.S. District Judge John Michael Vazquez gave the RNC until Wednesday evening to submit or explain any agreements that it has with Mr. Trump’s campaign, written or oral. The order came as part of a Democratic complaint alleging the GOP was in violation of a three-decade old legal settlement restricting RNC poll watching activities.

The judge also ordered the party to explain statements made by Trump campaign manager Kellyanne Conway and vice presidential nominee Mike Pence that the RNC was working with the Trump campaign to ensure ballot integrity and combat voter fraud.

As part of a settlement in a 1982 lawsuit brought by Democrats, the national Republican Party is forbidden from poll watching or ballot security activities without court approval. The prohibition doesn’t apply to candidates or state parties.

Democrats filed a complaint last week in federal court in New Jersey alleging the RNC was in violation of the consent decree and asking a court to order the party to stop.

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