ST. LOUIS – United States Attorney Sayler A. Fleming announced today that Assistant United States Attorneys (AUSAs) Hal Goldsmith and Jennifer Roy will lead their office’s efforts related to the Department of Justice’s national Election Day program for the upcoming November 8, 2022, generally. Elections. AUSAs Goldsmith and Roy have been appointed to serve as District Election Officers (DEOs) for the Eastern District of Missouri, and in that capacity are responsible for overseeing the District’s handling of election day complaints of voting rights concerns, threats of violence to election officials. or staff, and election fraud, in consultation with Justice Department headquarters in Washington.
US Attorney Fleming said, “Every citizen must be able to vote without interference or discrimination and have that vote counted in a fair and free election. Similarly, election officials and staff must be able to serve without being exposed to unlawful threats of violence.” The Minister of Justice will always work tirelessly to protect the integrity of the electoral process.
The Department of Justice has an important role in deterring and combating election discrimination and intimidation, threats of violence against election officials and poll workers, and election fraud. The department will address these violations where they occur. The Department’s long-standing Election Day program furthers these goals and also seeks to ensure public confidence in the election process by providing local points of contact within the Department for the public to report possible federal election law violations.
Federal law protects against such crimes as threats of violence against election officials or staff, intimidating or bribing voters, buying and selling votes, impersonating voters, changing vote counts, stuffing ballots, and marking ballots for voters against their wishes or without their input. It also contains special protections for the rights of voters, and provides that they can vote free from interference, including intimidation, and other acts to prevent or discourage people from voting or voting for the candidate of their choice. agree The Voting Rights Act protects the right of voters to mark their own ballot or to be assisted by a person of their choice (where voters need assistance due to disability or inability to read or write in English).
US Attorney Fleming said that: “The franchise is the cornerstone of American democracy. We must all see to it that those who have the right to the franchise can exercise it if they choose, and that those who try to to corrupt, be prosecuted. To respond to complaints of voting rights concerns and voter fraud during the upcoming elections, and to ensure that such complaints are directed to the appropriate authorities, AUSAs/DEOs Goldsmith and Roy will be in this district, while the polls are open They may be reached by the public at the following telephone number: (314) 539-7733.
In addition, the FBI will have special agents available in every field office and resident agency nationwide to receive allegations of voter fraud and other election abuse on Election Day. The local FBI field office can be reached by calling Election Crimes Coordinator Special Agent Steve Singleton at (314) 589-3211.
Complaints about possible violations of federal voting rights laws can be made directly to the Civil Rights Division in Washington, DC by phone at 800-253-3931 or by complaint form at https://civilrights.justice.gov/.
U.S. Attorney Fleming said, “Ensuring free and fair elections depends in large part on the assistance of the American electorate. It is important that those who have specific information about voting rights concerns or voter fraud provide that information to the Department of Justice .
please note however, in the event of a crime of violence or intimidation, please call 911 immediately and before contacting federal authorities. State and local police have primary jurisdiction over polling places, and almost always faster response capacity in an emergency.
