Bexar County Elections Department administrator Jacquelyn Callanen speaks to reporters during a pre-election press conference on Monday. Credit: Michael Karlis

Bexar County will keep federal poll watchers sent by the U.S. Justice Department outside voting stations on Tuesday, County Elections Administrator Jacquelyn Callanen told reporters Monday.

Callanen’s comments came after Texas Secretary of State Jane Nelson issued a letter Friday to the DOJ warning that federal poll monitors aren’t welcome inside polling stations across the state.

Nelson sent the letter in response to DOJ officials revealing plans to send poll watchers to 86 jurisdictions in 27 states to ensure federal voting-rights laws are being observed. The Texas counties where agency is sending monitors includes not just Bexar but Atascosa, Dallas, Frio, Harris, Hays, Palo Pinto and Waller.

“They will be here tomorrow, and they will stay outside the 100-foot mark,” Callanen said. “They will be there observing. They’ll go in just to tell the election officials inside that they’re here. Again, as you’ve heard from Gov. Abbott and the [Texas] Sec. of State, they will remain outside the 100-foot mark.”

The 100-foot mark Callanen is referring to is the exclusionary zone around Texas polling stations in which electioneering, the wearing of political clothes and taking photos is prohibited.

Callanen added that the feds are sending three poll watchers, who will rotate to different Bexar County polling stations throughout Tuesday.

Nearly half of those eligible to cast ballots in Bexar County have already done so in early voting, Callanen added. Even so, she encouraged those heading to the polls tomorrow to be patient since lines could be longer than expected.

In light of ongoing concerns about election-related violence, Callanen said her department’s held regular meetings with security. However, due to voter intimidation concerns, law enforcement isn’t allowed at polling stations.

The polls will be open tomorrow from 7 a.m. through 7 p.m., and those still in line at closing time will still be able to vote. Residents can check if they’re registered to vote and find polling station information by visiting the county Elections Department’s website.

Callanen said the first round of early voting results to be posted shortly after 7 p.m. Tuesday. The first wave of Election Day voting results will post at around 8:15 p.m.

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