The United States Department of Justice is going to be a watchdog for election-related crimes in the Central District of California on Nov. 5 as part of its nationwide Election Day program.
Every two years, the department appoints a district election officer to oversee Election Day complaints about voting rights concerns, threats of violence to election officials or staff, and election fraud and consult with department headquarters in Washington, D.C.
Assistant United States Attorney Thomas F. Rybarczyk is the district election officer for the Central District, which comprises San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Ventura, Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, and San Bernardino counties.
Justice Department spokesperson Ciaran McEvoy told New Times that the department isn’t accepting interview requests for the topic.
“The Department of Justice has an important role in deterring and combatting discrimination and intimidation at the polls, threats of violence directed at election officials and poll workers, and election fraud,” a press release said.
Federal law protects against crimes like threatening violence against election officials or staff, intimidating or bribing voters, buying and selling votes, impersonating voters, altering vote tallies, and stuffing ballot boxes. It also safeguards voter rights like possessing the ability to mark their own ballots.
SLO County Clerk-Recorder Elaina Cano told New Times that this election cycle poses a possibility for election crimes.
“We receive intel from various resources and are aware of some of the rhetoric that is out there pertaining to the encouragement of those intending to commit or encouraging others to commit election crimes,” she said. “We take this information very seriously and in partnership with all of our local and federal law enforcement agencies are determined to ensure the safety of our poll workers and election staff.”
Cano added that she doesn’t have any law enforcement officers assigned to be out at the polls on Nov. 5. But she is prepared to call for assistance if the need arises.
“The only issues/concerns that I have experienced here in SLO County are the calls that come in from the polling locations where observers do not respect the rules and regulations of observing the process,” she said. “It has been reported multiple times that they are disruptive and go from polling places to polling place using the same tactics. Because of this, poll workers are trained to contact law enforcement should they feel threatened or feel as though the integrity of the election is being threatened due to the observers’ misconduct.”
While the Justice Department encourages voters to call 911 first in the case of violence or intimidation, other recourses exist.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) will have special agents available in each field office and resident agency throughout the country to receive allegations of election fraud and other election abuses on Election Day. Reach the local FBI field office at (310) 477-6565.
Complaints about possible violations of the federal voting rights laws can be made directly to the Civil Rights Division in Washington, D.C., by complaint form at civilrights.justice.gov or by phone at (800) 253-3931. Δ
This article appears in Oct 31 – Nov 10, 2024.