Feds to Monitor Polls in 18 States on Election Day

WASHINGTON – The Justice Department announced today that its Civil Rights Division plans to deploy more than 400 federal observers and department personnel to 30 jurisdictions in 18 states for the Nov. 2, 2010, general election.

Although state and local governments have primary responsibility for administering elections, under the federal voting rights laws, the Civil Rights Division is charged with and committed to protecting the rights of all citizens to access the ballot on Election Day.

In the days leading up to and throughout Election Day, Civil Rights Division staff members will be available at a special toll-free number to receive complaints related to ballot access, including allegations of voter intimidation or coercion targeted at voters because of their race, color, national origin or religion.

Allegations of voter fraud are handled by the 94 U.S. Attorneys’ Offices across the country and the Criminal Division’s Public Integrity Section. Complaints may be directed to any of the local U.S. Attorneys’ Offices, the local FBI offices or the Public Integrity Section at 202-514-1412.

The Justice Department has a long history of sending observers and monitors to protect voters’ rights since the passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965. On Election Day, federal observers will monitor polling place activities in 16 jurisdictions, including Autauga County, Ala.; Bethel, Alaska; Apache and Navajo Counties, Ariz.; Riverside County, Calif.; Randolph County, Ga.; Kane County, Ill.; Salem County, N.J.; Cibola and Sandoval Counties, N.M.; Cuyahoga County, Ohio; Shannon County, S.D.; Dallas, Fort Bend, Galveston and Williamson Counties, Texas.

Justice Department personnel will monitor the election in an additional 14 jurisdictions, including Maricopa County, Ariz.; Alameda County, Calif.; Seminole County, Fla.; Honolulu, Hawaii; Neshoba County, Miss.; Colfax County, Neb.; Passaic County, N.J.; Orange County, N.Y.; Lorain County, Ohio; Philadelphia, Pa.; Bennett and Todd Counties, S.D.; Shelby County, Tenn.; and Harris County, Texas.

The observers and department personnel will gather information on whether voters are subject to different voting qualifications or procedures on the basis of race, color, or membership in a language minority group; whether jurisdictions are complying with the minority language provisions of the Voting Rights Act; and whether jurisdictions comply with the provisional ballot requirements of the Help America Vote Act.

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