The US Attorney announced a plan to prevent intimidation and election fraud

U.S. Attorney Brandon B. Brown on Thursday provided information to voters and poll workers who may face threats, intimidation or fraud during Tuesday’s general election.

The FBI will have special agents in every field office and permanent agency nationwide to receive allegations of election day fraud and other abuses. The local FBI field office can be reached in Shreveport at 318-861-1890, Monroe at 318-387-0773, Alexandria at 318-443-5097, Lafayette at 337-233-2164, and Lake Charles at number 318-433. -6353.

Complaints about possible violations of federal voting rights laws may be filed directly with the Division of Civil Rights in Washington, D.C., using the complaint form at or by calling 800-253-3931.

“Ensuring free and fair elections depends to a large extent on the help of the American electorate. It is important that those with specific information about voting rights issues or election fraud come forward with that information to the Department of Justice,” Brown said.

“However, please note that in the event of violence or intimidation, call 911 immediately before contacting federal authorities. State and local police have primary jurisdiction over polling places and are almost always able to respond more quickly in emergencies,” states release.

Brown also announced Thursday that Assistant U.S. Attorney Jabrina Edwards will lead the Western District office’s nationwide Election Day program efforts.

The program is aimed at protecting the rights of citizens and polling station workers during the general elections on November 5, 2024.

Edwards has been appointed District Elections Officer for the Western District of Louisiana, and in that capacity is responsible for overseeing the District’s handling of Election Day complaints of voting violations, threats of violence against election officials or personnel, and election fraud, in consultation with the Department of Justice headquarters in Washington, Brown said.

“Every citizen should be able to vote without interference or discrimination and have their votes counted in fair and free elections. Similarly, election officials and staff must be able to work without unlawful threats of violence. The Department of Justice will always work tirelessly to protect the integrity of the election process,” Brown said.

According to Brown, the Department of Justice plays an important role in deterring and combating discrimination and intimidation at the polls, threats of violence against poll officials and poll workers, and election fraud. The Department will address these violations wherever they occur. The Department’s multi-year Election Day Program furthers these goals and also aims to ensure public confidence in the election process by providing local contacts within the Department to notify the public of potential violations of federal election law.

Federal law protects against crimes such as threats of violence against election officials or personnel, voter intimidation or bribery, vote buying and selling, voter impersonation, vote count tampering, voter ballot casting, and voter marking on ballots against or without their will. their participation. It also contains special guarantees to protect the rights of voters and provides that they can vote without interference, including intimidation and other actions designed to prevent or prevent people from voting or voting for a candidate of their choice. The Voting Rights Act protects the right of voters to mark their own ballot or to have assistance from a person of their choice (if the voter needs assistance because of a disability or inability to read or write in English).

“The franchise is the cornerstone of American democracy. We must all ensure that those who have the right to vote can exercise it if they choose, and that those who try to spoil it are held accountable. In order to respond to complaints of voting rights violations and election fraud during the upcoming elections, and to ensure that such complaints are referred to the appropriate authorities, AUSA/DEO Edwards will be on duty in this district while the polls are open. The public can contact AUSA Edwards at our office in Shreveport at 318-676-3600,” Brown said.