Election Day Scams: Feds On High Alert

Newark, N.J. – U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman has issued a stern warning to would-be scammers: leave the polls alone on Election Day. The U.S. Attorney’s Office will be on high alert for voting irregularities, voter intimidation, and other crimes that could disrupt the democratic process.

The Election Day Hotline – 888-636-6596 – will be staffed live on Election Day in English and Spanish, with representatives from the U.S. Attorney’s Office and its federal law enforcement partners, led by the FBI, ready to receive and respond to reports of suspicious activity.

Each year, the U.S. Attorney’s Office works cooperatively with the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office and county boards of elections to respond to voter complaints and direct them to the appropriate authority. The Justice Ministry seeks to ensure that all qualified voters have the opportunity to cast their ballots and have their votes counted, without discrimination, intimidation or fraud.

Federal law protects against crimes such as intimidating or bribing voters, buying and selling votes, impersonating voters, altering vote tallies, stuffing ballot boxes, and marking ballots for voters against their wishes or without their input.

Special protections are also in place to prevent voters from being intimidated or harassed. Actions designed to interrupt or intimidate voters at polling places, such as questioning, challenging, photographing, or videotaping them under the pretext of uncovering illegal voting, may violate federal voting rights law.

Voters also have the right to mark their own ballot or be assisted by a person of their choice. The U.S. Attorney’s Office urges voters to report any suspicious activity or concerns related to voting to the Election Day Hotline or by submitting a complaint online.

The Civil Rights Division staff in Washington will also be available by phone to receive complaints related to voting rights. Individuals can call 1-800-253-3931 toll-free, 202-307-2767, or submit a complaint via fax to 202-307-3961, email to voting.section@usdoj.gov, or through the Justice Ministry’s website at http://www.justice.gov/crt/complaint/votintake/index.php.

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