NYC Gazette

United States Attorneys Breon Peace and Damian Williams have announced that Assistant United States Attorneys (AUSAs) will lead efforts for the Justice Department’s Election Day Program during the upcoming general election on November 5, 2024. AUSA Erik Paulsen has been appointed as the District Election Officer (DEO) for the Eastern District of New York, while AUSA David J. Kennedy will serve as DEO for the Southern District of New York. These AUSAs are tasked with overseeing complaints related to voting rights concerns, threats against election officials or staff, and election fraud.

"A free election is the cornerstone of our democracy and every citizen in the Eastern District of New York must be able to vote and have their votes counted fairly and without interference, discrimination or threat of violence," stated United States Attorney Peace. "Election officials and their staff also must be able to perform their duties without being subjected to unlawful threats of violence or intimidation."

United States Attorney Williams emphasized the importance of maintaining integrity in elections: "Free, fair, and accessible elections are critical to democracy, and every voter in the Southern District of New York deserves to cast their vote with confidence in the integrity of our electoral process."

The Department of Justice aims to deter discrimination and intimidation at polling places, address threats against election workers, and combat election fraud through its longstanding Election Day Program. Federal law protects against crimes such as threatening violence against election officials or staff, intimidating voters, altering vote tallies, among others.

"The franchise is the cornerstone of American democracy," said United States Attorneys Peace and Williams. They stressed that AUSAs would be on duty during polling hours to handle complaints about voting rights concerns and election fraud.

Complaints can be directed to specific phone numbers depending on location within New York districts until November 5, 2024. The Civil Rights Division in Washington DC is also available for direct reports at 800-253-3931 or via a complaint form online.

Additionally, special agents from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) will be present nationwide to receive allegations related to election abuses on Election Day. In emergencies involving violence or intimidation at polling sites, individuals are advised to contact local authorities immediately by calling 911.

For routine inquiries such as voting locations or poll hours within New York City or surrounding counties outside NYC, citizens can reach out to respective Boards of Elections using provided contact numbers.