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The Justice Department is deploying district election officers nationwide ahead of Election Day to ensure poll workers can perform their duties without facing threats or intimidation. These officers will work in coordination with the Justice Department's Election Threats Task Force, established in June 2021 by Attorney General Merrick Garland and Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco to address threats of violence against election workers.
Since its creation, the task force has been collaborating with election officials and law enforcement at both state and local levels to investigate reports of threats against election workers. It also works closely with FBI field offices and U.S. Attorneys' Offices across the country.
This week, U.S. Attorneys' Offices named their district election officers, selected for each election cycle, to coordinate with the Election Threats Task Force and law enforcement at all levels on Election Day. Their role is to ensure that any election-related complaints are addressed by the appropriate authorities, officials stated.
District election officers are also responsible for overseeing complaints related to voting rights, threats against election workers, and allegations of election fraud within their districts, according to the Justice Department. "The Department will address these violations wherever they occur," the agency said in a statement.
The Justice Department emphasized that its longstanding Election Day Program aims to support these efforts and build public confidence in the electoral process by providing local contact points for reporting potential violations of federal election laws.
Last month, Attorney General Garland held a public meeting with the task force, citing a sharp rise in threats against election workers since 2020. Since the task force's inception, the DOJ has charged nearly two dozen individuals for alleged threats against election workers. Garland warned that those who threaten election workers will be held accountable.
This year, the DOJ has prosecuted cases including a shooting spree targeting elected officials, threatening communications to a Michigan election official, and more. Garland stated that the Justice Department would continue its efforts leading up to the Nov. 5 Election Day, including on-the-ground meetings with election workers nationwide.
In early November, the FBI will host federal partners at its headquarters to address issues and potential crimes related to the elections. "Election officials and administrators do not have to face these threats alone," Garland said. "We are here to support them and ensure they can safely perform their critical duties."
Attorney General Merrick Garland has reiterated the Justice Department’s commitment to safeguarding election workers, emphasizing that the current threat environment is unprecedented. Since the 2020 election, there has been a noticeable rise in threats against election officials, leading to the formation of the Election Threats Task Force. This initiative underscores the federal government’s dedication to protecting those responsible for ensuring free and fair elections.
The task force, in its collaboration with various law enforcement agencies and election officials, has played a significant role in addressing these threats. Through its coordination with FBI field offices and U.S. Attorneys' Offices, the task force is working to ensure that any threat or intimidation against election workers is swiftly investigated and prosecuted. The Justice Department has already charged multiple individuals for engaging in or threatening violence against election officials, highlighting the seriousness with which it takes these offenses.
In preparation for the upcoming election, district election officers are tasked with managing their district's complaints, ranging from voting rights concerns to threats of violence. They will be key players in ensuring that any violations or incidents are properly reported and addressed in real-time. Their coordination with federal, state, and local law enforcement is expected to provide a comprehensive response to any election-related issues that may arise.
Garland also announced further measures to support election workers, including a gathering of federal partners at FBI headquarters before Election Day to address potential election-related crimes. This meeting will allow various agencies to assess risks and prepare to handle any incidents on Election Day itself. By bringing together a wide array of federal resources, the Justice Department aims to ensure that election officials can perform their duties without fear of harm or intimidation.
Additionally, the Justice Department’s Election Day Program, which has been in place for years, will continue to operate as a means for the public to report any suspected violations of federal election laws. The program is intended not only to address specific legal issues but also to enhance public confidence in the electoral system by making it clear that any attempts to undermine elections will be taken seriously.
Garland made clear that the department will continue to support and protect election workers through its on-the-ground presence and federal resources. He stressed that the goal is to ensure a safe environment where election officials can focus on their work without facing the ongoing threat of violence. As Election Day nears, the Justice Department’s preparations signal that the protection of election workers remains a top priority amidst a challenging political landscape.
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