October 21, 2024
DOJ has announced the hiring of district election officers to handle allegations of intimidation, threats, voter fraud and election violations as part of its Election Day initiative. The move, part of a series of efforts to protect the electoral process, was announced in various press statements, and the DOJ emphasized its responsibility to promote safe and fair elections.
The DOJ said that assistant U.S. attorneys in different districts would be in charge of the Election Day task force, representing the public to report potential violations of federal election laws. Also on alert in field offices nationwide will be special agents from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to handle election fraud or other abuse.
The Middle District of Pennsylvania emphasized its efforts against intimidation, discrimination and other election-related violations, writing, “The Department will address these violations wherever they occur… and seeks to ensure public confidence in the electoral process by providing local points of contact within the Department for the public to report possible federal election law violations.”
Increase in Election Worker Threats
Attorney General Merrick Garland, who spoke to the Election Day task force last month, acknowledged a notable spike in attacks on election employees since the 2020 election. People spotted threaten or kill election officials, he said, would be punished. Garland’s statements were in line with larger discussions on how to stop and prevent election interference, both foreign and domestic.
“There has been an unprecedented spike in threats targeting election workers since 2020,” Garland said. He cited recent criminal prosecutions of threats directed against election officials in Arizona, Colorado and Michigan.
DOJ meanwhile said that it is actively watching for potential foreign interference, and Garland pointed to possible threat from enemies such as Russia, China, and Iran to interfere with the elections ahead.
Election Integrity and Threats Against Officials.
Even top Democrats in battleground states have made public pronouncements on the legal implications of holding up or disrupting election certification. In her statement, Michigan’s Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson emphasized her state’s willingness to enforce election laws and emphasized that criminal penalties may follow if officials fail to abide by them.
In Pennsylvania, Attorney General Michelle Henry echoed similar sentiments, asserting that her office is “ready” to handle any election irregularities or non-compliance, while Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul emphasized that his office would act if they suspected election officials would not follow the law.
DoJ’s overall Election Day strategy, from proactive surveillance to an active reaction to potential threat or issue issues, reflects its desire to assure citizens that the voting process was transparent and free from abuses.
Concerns About Election Security
The project also comes as worries about election security and transparency are growing. In stepping up to stop foreign interference and election worker intimidation, DOJ’s efforts reflect the agency’s focus on protecting the elections.
Other departments and local policing, in addition to the DOJ, will also work together to deal with any difficulties on the ground in the race, especially in swing states where outcomes are closely contested.
Combined with task forces and FBI agents, DOJ is trying to reassure voters that the election was legitimate ahead of the 2024 election.
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