With ballots on the line and tension in the air, federal prosecutors are locking and loading for Election Day in Virginia. The Department of Justice has activated a high-level legal task force in the Eastern District of Virginia to combat potential election fraud and voter suppression — signaling a zero-tolerance stance ahead of the November 8 general election.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys James P. Gillis, Randy Stoker, and L. Margaret Harker have been named District Election Officers (DEOs), placing them on the front lines of the DOJ’s nationwide Election Day Program. These prosecutors will spearhead investigations into any reports of bribery, ballot stuffing, voter intimidation, or tampering with vote counts — crimes that strike at the core of American democracy.
“Every citizen must be able to vote without interference or discrimination,” said U.S. Attorney Dana J. Boente. “They need to have that vote counted without it being stolen because of fraud. The Department of Justice will act promptly and aggressively to protect the integrity of the election process.”
Federal law bans a litany of election crimes: impersonating voters, altering tallies, buying votes, or coercing voters at polling places. Photographing or harassing voters under the guise of ‘election integrity’ may also violate federal statutes. Voters have the right to mark their own ballots — or choose who assists them — free from threats or manipulation.
On Election Day, the DEOs will be on call across the district. From 6 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., complaints can be reported to 703-299-3700. During peak hours, calls are routed directly to the assigned prosecutors: Gillis in Alexandria (703-299-3700), Stoker in Norfolk and Newport News (757-441-6331), and Harker in Richmond (804-819-5400). The FBI will also have agents standing by nationwide.
Anyone with information on voting rights violations can contact the Civil Rights Division’s Voting Section directly at 1-800-253-3931 or (202) 307-2767, by email at voting.section@usdoj.gov, or via the online complaint form at justice.gov/crt/complaint/votintake. The feds aren’t waiting for the dust to settle — they’re already on the beat.
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Key Facts
- State: Virginia
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: Official Source ↗
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