Election Fraud Watch: DOJ Deploys Officer for 2016 Vote

Sacramento, Calif. — With ballots on the line and trust in the system hanging by a thread, the Department of Justice isn’t taking chances. Acting U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert has deployed Assistant U.S. Attorney Kevin C. Khasigian as District Election Officer to stand guard over the November 8, 2016, general election in the Eastern District of California. His mission: cut through fraud, crush voter intimidation, and ensure every legal vote counts.

The Eastern District spans 34 counties—from the Sierra foothills to the Central Valley’s sprawling farmland—including Fresno, Kern, Sacramento, and Tulare. In battleground zones where turnout can swing outcomes, federal eyes are locked on the polls. Khasigian will coordinate with DOJ headquarters in Washington to field complaints in real time, acting as the nerve center for election integrity across a vast, politically fractured region.

Talbert issued a blunt warning: “Every citizen must be able to vote without interference or discrimination and to have that vote counted without it being stolen because of fraud.” The message is clear—vote tampering, ballot stuffing, or coercion at polling sites won’t be tolerated. Federal law bans vote buying, tally manipulation, and unauthorized ballot marking. Even aggressive voter challenges or surreptitious filming under the guise of oversight could cross into illegal territory.

To arm the public, the DOJ and FBI have rolled out a 24-hour reporting arsenal. On Election Day, citizens can call DEO Khasigian directly at (916) 554-2700 or (916) 554-2723. The FBI’s Sacramento field office will also have special agents on standby at (916) 746-7000 or via tips.fbi.gov, ready to move on credible leads.

Complaints can also bypass local channels entirely. The Civil Rights Division’s Voting Section in Washington, D.C., accepts reports by phone at 800-253-3931 or (202) 307-2767, by fax, email at voting.section@usdoj.gov, or through an online complaint portal at www.justice.gov/crt/complaint/votintake/index.php. These aren’t suggestions—they’re enforcement lifelines.

The stakes? Nothing less than faith in democracy. From the dusty precincts of Imperial County to the gated suburbs of Placer, the DOJ is casting a wide net. The 2016 election won’t be rigged on their watch. Any attempt to corrupt the vote will be met with federal force, swift and unrelenting.