Here is a request for election observers for the Bronx sent to the DOJ.  The letter cites the:

“imminent danger of voter disenfranchisement, fraud and intimidation.”

The letter states that some of the elections will be conducted by paper ballot in the Bronx because they can’t get all of the optical scanning machines to work.

“the change in technology impacts less informed voters who can be easily manipulated by poll workers.”

“The incumbent has a long history of suppressing voter turnout [Senator Reverend Ruben Diaz Sr.] and distributing fraudulent propaganda, manipulating elections and being investigated by the F.B.I.”

Note the call to have the federal government monitor the election because of the use of “fraudulent propaganda.”  This letter was written by a candidate for the 32nd Senatorial District.  The letter goes on to ask the Justice Department to “take control” of the ballots after the election. 

We will know shortly whether the DOJ finds these arguments persuasive enough to deploy observers on September 14.