U.S. Legal professional Vanessa Roberts Avery in the present day introduced that Assistant U.S. Legal professional Jonathan Francis will lead the U.S. Legal professional’s Workplace’s efforts in reference to the Justice Division’s nationwide Election Day Program for the upcoming November 8, 2022, normal election. AUSA Francis serves because the District Election Officer for the District of Connecticut and is accountable for overseeing the District’s dealing with of Election Day complaints of voting rights issues, threats of violence to election officers or employees, and election fraud, in session with Justice Division Headquarters in Washington.
“Each citizen should be capable of vote with out interference or discrimination and to have that vote counted in a good and free election,” mentioned U.S. Legal professional Avery. “Equally, election officers and employees should be capable of serve with out being topic to illegal threats of violence. The Division of Justice will at all times work tirelessly to guard the integrity of the election course of.”
The Division of Justice has an necessary position in deterring and combatting discrimination and intimidation on the polls, threats of violence directed at election officers and ballot staff, and election fraud. The Division will tackle these violations wherever they happen. The Division’s longstanding Election Day Program furthers these objectives and likewise seeks to make sure public confidence within the electoral course of by offering native factors of contact inside the Division for the general public to report attainable federal election legislation violations.
Federal legislation protects in opposition to such crimes as threatening violence in opposition to election officers or employees, intimidating or bribing voters, shopping for and promoting votes, impersonating voters, altering vote tallies, stuffing poll packing containers, and marking ballots for voters in opposition to their needs or with out their enter. It additionally accommodates particular protections for the rights of voters, and gives that they will vote free from interference, together with intimidation, and different acts designed to forestall or discourage folks from voting or voting for the candidate of their alternative. The Voting Rights Act protects the proper of voters to mark their very own poll or to be assisted by an individual of their alternative (the place voters want help due to incapacity or lack of ability to learn or write in English).
“The appropriate to vote is the cornerstone of American democracy,” mentioned U.S. Legal professional Avery. “All of us should make sure that those that are entitled to vote can train it in the event that they select, and that those that search to deprave it are dropped at justice.”
U.S. Legal professional Avery famous that with a purpose to reply to complaints of voting rights issues and election fraud through the election, and to make sure that such complaints are directed to the suitable authorities, AUSA Francis will probably be on responsibility whereas the polls are open and will probably be in common communication all through the day with the FBI and with state election and legislation enforcement authorities.
The Connecticut State Elections Enforcement Fee (SEEC) is staffing a hotline throughout polling hours on Election Day. Anybody with information of election fraud or voting rights abuses is inspired to name 1-866-733-2463 (1-866-SEEC-INFO) to report suspected violations. The SEEC employees will reply questions, advise on grievance procedures and, if applicable, request the help of state legal or federal legislation enforcement authorities within the investigation and attainable prosecution of the matter.
The FBI in Connecticut and throughout the nation could have particular brokers accessible to obtain allegations of election fraud and different election abuses on Election Day. The native FBI discipline workplace in New Haven may be reached instantly at 203-777-6311.
As well as, complaints about attainable violations of the federal voting rights legal guidelines may be made on to the Civil Rights Division in Washington, D.C., by telephone at 800-253-3931 or by grievance type at https://civilrights.justice.gov/.
“Making certain free and truthful elections relies upon largely on the help of the American citizens,” mentioned U.S. Legal professional Avery. “It will be important that those that have particular details about voting rights issues or election fraud make that data accessible to the Division of Justice.”
U.S. Legal professional Avery pressured that within the case of a criminal offense of violence or intimidation, people ought to name 911 instantly and earlier than contacting federal authorities. State and native police have major jurisdiction over polling locations, and virtually at all times have quicker response capability in an emergency.