UPDATED Monday, June 4, 2012 --- 10:50 a.m.

MILWAUKEE (AP) -- The U.S. Justice Department says it will monitor elections in Wisconsin and three other states this week to ensure compliance with the Voting Rights Act. The law prohibits discrimination in the election process.

The federal agency said Monday it will send federal observers to the city of Milwaukee, which is required to provide assistance in Spanish.

The officials will monitor polling places during Tuesday's recall elections, and Justice Department attorneys will maintain contact with local election officials.

Wisconsin's attorney general also plans to send state investigators and lawyers to the polls to discourage fraud. Those officials will help ensure that voters comply with state election laws.

The federal Justice Department is providing similar monitoring in California, New Mexico and South Dakota, where elections are also being held Tuesday.

Copyright 2012. The Associated Press.

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Posted: Saturday, June 2, 2012 --- 2:30p.m.

MADISON, Wis. (AP) -- Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen plans to send state Justice Department investigators and lawyers to the polls during Tuesday's recall elections to discourage fraud.

Van Hollen, a Republican, plans to deploy teams of special agents and assistant attorney generals across the state, including dispersing seven groups to the polls in Democratic-leaning Milwaukee. He says the agents and attorneys will help local election officials ensure voters comply with state election laws.

Former Democratic Attorney General Peg Lautenschlager dispatched similar teams during the 2004 election. Van Hollen sent out teams in 2008 and in 2010.

Democrats upset with Republican Gov. Scott Walker's contentious plan that all but ended collective bargaining for most public worker forced the governor and four other GOP officeholders into Tuesday's recalls. Walker faces Democratic Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett.

Copyright 2012. The Associated Press.