Projo Politics Blog

Rhode Island's U.S. attorney has appointed the federal officer who will oversee handling of election fraud complaints and voting rights abuses in consultation with the Justice Department.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Terrence P. Donnelly will serve as federal district election officer for Rhode Island. He will head up investigation and prosecution of any federal election fraud matters that come up out of Tuesday's election, working with the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Forms of election abuse covered by federal law include voter bribery, voter intimidation, and ballot forgery.

The appointment results from the Ballot Access and Voting Integrity initiative the Justice Department established in 2002. The goals are to increase the department's ability to deter election fraud and discrimination at the polls, and to prosecute election offenses.

U.S. Attorney Robert Clark Corrente's office said today that the effort also means to "ensure public confidence in the integrity of the election process" by providing local contact points where the public can report possible election fraud and voting rights violations while polls are open.

Allegations of election fraud may be reported to:

The U.S. Attorney's Office, at 401-709-5000; FBI, at 401-272-8310; Rhode Island State Police, 401-444-1000, or the appropriate municipal police department.

Complaints about ballot access problems or discrimination can also be made directly to the Civil Rights Division's Voting Section in Washington at 1-800-253-3931 or 202-307-2767.

-- projo.com staff writer Michael P. McKinney

 Tags  election fraud federal election officer R.I. elections Terrence P. Donnelly U.S. Attorney Robert Corrente

Comments

What about poll worker intimidation? said:

How does an ordinary poll worker deal with intimidation by a shady warden who countermands written instructions from the Board of Canvassers?

The corruption in this state is endless.

Link | November 3, 2008 8:32 AM
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