The problem? No federal official can seize control of election administration from the states and counties, who hold the power run elections under the U.S. Constitution.

Administration is "aware, monitoring the outbreak, and assessing options," an official told Axios.

DOJ's planned effort represents an extraordinary expansion of federal election monitoring. It has already sparked confrontations with state officials and concerns about voter intimidation.

A new mayoral task force will study the dysfunctional 143-year-old civil service system and propose changes in Albany.