PORTLAND, Maine: U.S. Lawyer Darcie N. McElwee introduced as we speak that Assistant U.S. Lawyer (AUSA) John Osborn will lead the efforts of her workplace in reference to the Justice Division’s nationwide Election Day Program for the upcoming November 8, 2022 basic election. AUSA Osborn has been appointed to function the District Election Officer (DEO) for the District of Maine, and in that capability 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.
U.S. Lawyer McElwee stated, “Each citizen should have the ability to vote with out interference or discrimination and to have that vote counted in a good and free election. Equally, election officers and employees should have the ability to 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 employees, and election fraud. The Division will tackle these violations wherever they happen. The Division’s longstanding Election Day Program furthers these objectives and in addition 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 doable 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 bins, 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 offers that they will vote free from interference, together with intimidation, and different acts designed to stop or discourage folks from voting or voting for the candidate of their selection. The Voting Rights Act protects the precise of voters to mark their very own poll or to be assisted by an individual of their selection (the place voters want help due to incapacity or incapability to learn or write in English).
U.S. Lawyer McElwee said, “The franchise is the cornerstone of American democracy. All of us should be certain that those that are entitled to the franchise can train it in the event that they select, and that those that search to deprave it are delivered to justice. With a purpose to reply to complaints of voting rights issues and election fraud in the course of the upcoming election, and to make sure that such complaints are directed to the suitable authorities, AUSA/DEO Osborn shall be on responsibility on this District whereas the polls are open. Anybody with election day issues can contact AUSA Osborn at 207-771-3214 or AUSA Andrew McCormack in our Bangor workplace at 207-262-4615.”
As well as, the FBI could have particular brokers out there in every discipline workplace and resident company all through the nation to obtain allegations of election fraud and different election abuses on election day. The native FBI workplace might be reached by the general public at 207-541-0700.
Complaints about doable violations of the federal voting rights legal guidelines might be made on to the Civil Rights Division in Washington, DC by telephone at 800-253-3931 or by criticism type at https://civilrights.justice.gov/ .
U.S. Lawyer McElwee stated, “Making certain free and honest elections relies upon largely on the help of the American citizens. It is crucial that those that have particular details about voting rights issues or election fraud make that data out there to the Division of Justice.”
Please observe, nevertheless, within the case of a criminal offense of violence or intimidation, please name 911 instantly and earlier than contacting federal authorities. State and native police have major jurisdiction over polling locations, and nearly at all times have quicker response capability in an emergency.
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