Federal prosecutors in the Southern District of Texas are gearing up to tackle any concerns related to voting rights or election fraud during early voting, which is ongoing until November 1, and the November 5 general election. U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani announced the appointment of two Assistant U.S. Attorneys to lead these efforts. Civil Chief Daniel Hu and Deputy Criminal Chief Sharad Khandelwal are tasked with overseeing the handling of election-related complaints, ranging from access to the polls to unlawful threats of violence against election officials.
"Every citizen must be able to vote without interference or discrimination and to have that vote counted in a fair and free election," said Hamdani, as reported by the U.S. Attorney's Office website. This statement underscores the dedication of Hamdani's office to protect not only the voters but also the officials who facilitate this cornerstone of American democracy. Addressing these concerns, the Department of Justice is focused on deterring and combatting intimidation and fraud at the polls.
The roles of Hu and Khandelwal encompass responding to a range of voting rights issues, including those that potentially dissuade individuals from exercising their voting rights or influence their choice of candidates. According to the DOJ, federal law shields voters from crimes such as bribery, voter intimidation, and altering vote tallies. It also ensures that those needing assistance due to disability or language barriers can have their ballots marked by a person of their choice, adhering to the protections outlined by the Voting Rights Act.
To facilitate the reporting of voting rights violations and election fraud, Khandelwal and Hu will be on duty while the polls are open and can be reached at 713-567-9345 and 713-567-9518, respectively. Adding to the reinforcement, the FBI will also have special agents in each field office across the country to address election fraud and other abuses on election day. Complaints can similarly be directed to the Civil Rights Division in Washington, DC via their website or phone at 800-253-3931, as noted by the U.S. Attorney's Office.
Hamdani emphasizes the crucial role of the public in ensuring the fairness of elections. "It is important that those who have specific information about voting rights concerns or election fraud make that information available to DOJ," Hamdani stated. Citizens are encouraged to report any incidences to DOJ, but in cases of immediate violence or intimidation, calling 911 is urged due to the faster response time from state and local police forces, as per the U.S. Attorney's Office.
