Tuesday’s midterm election is one of the most contentious in recent memory as Republicans and Democrats battle furiously to control the House of Representatives and U.S. Senate.

That, along with the Trump administration’s intense efforts to weed out voter fraud, will bring many poll monitors to sites across the United States, including Fresno County.

“We expect to see plenty of election observers starting Saturday,” said Fresno County elections chief James Kus.

Fresno County Has Six House Districts

But Fresno County also will be the subject of keen interest for another reason. The county has six congressional districts following California’s Proposition 50 voter-approved gerrymander of  House maps.

In one example of weird map-drawing, Silicon Valley-anchored District 18 now contains slivers of western Fresno County. Big Tech say hello to Big Ag.

While there will be poll monitors at District 18 voting sites, the biggest crowds will descend upon Districts 13 and 22.

“Those two districts will be tight,” said Kus, “so the campaigns and (political) parties will have many observers on hand.”

District 13 is where incumbent Democrat Rep. Adam Gray faces Republican Kevin Lincoln in a race that the GOP has targeted for victory with strong financial support.

And, in perhaps the grandaddy of all matchups across the nation, progressive Democrat Randy Villegas is challenging incumbent Republican Rep. David Valadao in District 22. Both parties are pouring money into this matchup, as anyone who watches TV, listens to radio, or swipes through their phone surely realizes.

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Incumbents Hold Big Edge in Other House Races

Fresno County’s four other House districts have been drawn to heavily favor the political party of the incumbent representative. Here is a look at the participants:

5: Michael Masuda, Democrat, vs. Republican incumbent Tom McClintock

18: Shane Lewis, Republican, vs. Democrat incumbent Zoe Lofgren

20: Sandra Van Scotter, Democrat, vs. Republican incumbent Vince Fong

21: Kyle Kirkland, Republican, vs. Democrat incumbent Jim Costa

DOJ Observers

Kus said that the federal Department of Justice regularly sends observers to Fresno County elections sites, but that their focus changes from presidential administration to administration.

For example, in 2014 and 2016 under then President Barack Obama, observers looked closely at Americans With Disabilities Act issues, rating such things as ease of access for people in wheelchairs.

Other observers include those from the California Secretary of State’s office, as well as nonprofit groups such as Common Cause California and Disability Rights California.

“We get report cards from the groups afterwards, and it’s helpful to have that feedback,” Kus said.

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Federal Election Officer

Assistant U.S. Attorney Kevin C. Khasigian is the federal election officer for Fresno and other Valley counties for Tuesday’s voting.

He is responsible for investigating Election Day complaints of voting rights concerns, threats of violence to election officials or staff, and election fraud in consultation with the DOJ in Washington, D.C.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office said that residents can report suspicious activity to Khasigian at (916) 554-2723.

In addition, the FBI will have special agents on hand to receive allegations of election fraud and other election abuses on Election Day. The local FBI field office can be reached at (916) 746-7000.

Complaints regarding voter discrimination or civil rights violations also are accepted by the Civil Rights Division via the Department of Justice Civil Rights Reporting Portal.

California’s Prop. 50 Congressional Maps