John S. Leonardo, Voter Fraud Prevention, Phoenix AZ, 2023

PHOENIX — With Election Day looming, federal authorities in Arizona are bracing for voter fraud, intimidation, and ballot manipulation. U.S. Attorney John S. Leonardo has tapped Assistant U.S. Attorney Todd M. Allison to lead the Justice Department’s Election Day Program in the District of Arizona, putting a seasoned prosecutor on the front lines to protect the integrity of the Nov. 8, 2016, vote.

Allison, now designated District Election Officer (DEO), will be on high alert from polls open to close, monitoring and responding to any reports of election crimes. He’ll serve as the district’s direct link to Justice Department headquarters in Washington, ensuring rapid escalation of complaints involving voter suppression, ballot tampering, or civil rights violations at polling sites across the state.

Leonardo issued a blunt warning: anyone with information on voter intimidation, bribery, or fraud must speak up—fast. “Ensuring free and fair elections depends in large part on the cooperation of the American electorate,” he said. “It is imperative that those who have specific information about discrimination, voter intimidation, or election fraud make that information available immediately.”

Federal law cracks down hard on election crimes—impersonating voters, stuffing ballot boxes, altering tallies, or coercing voters through threats or deception. Even aggressive challenges at polling places, or filming voters under the guise of ‘election monitoring,’ could violate federal voting rights statutes. Voters have the right to mark their ballots in private—or choose who assists them.

To ensure real-time response, Allison will be reachable all day on Election Day at (602) 595-2866. The FBI will also have agents on standby across Arizona, accessible at (623) 466-1999. These measures aim to crush any attempt to undermine the ballot box through fear, fraud, or force.

Complaints can also go straight to the DOJ’s Civil Rights Division in D.C. via hotline (1-800-253-3931), email (voting.section@usdoj.gov), or online at justice.gov/crt. The message is clear: the right to vote will be defended—rigorously and without mercy.