A Russian government request to monitor the upcoming U.S. election was rebuffed by federal and state officials as a publicity stunt.

Russia attempted to send monitors to observe voting in Louisiana, Oklahoma and Texas, USA Today reported, as Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump claims the election is “rigged” against him.

[Reid Cites Ties to Trump Campaign in Election System Hacks]

State Department spokesman Mark Toner called the attempt “a PR stunt.” Similarly, a spokeswoman for the Louisiana Secretary of State rejected it as a “propaganda ploy.”

Russian media said the request was turned downed in “harsh terms.”

Amid hacks of the Democratic National Committee and other groups, many Democrats are convinced the Russian government is trying to influence the presidential election. This concern was reflected in a letter Sen. Harry Reid sent to FBI Director James Comey.