U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza has made an announcement, revealing that Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Devlin is set to head the Justice Department's efforts within the Western District of Texas for the impending general election on Nov. 5. According to a statement released by the U.S. Attorney Office for the Western District of Texas, Devlin will be taking on the role of District Election Officer (DEO), overseeing the district's handling of complaints relating to voting rights, threats of violence to election officials or staff, and election fraud.
"Every citizen must be able to vote without interference or discrimination and to have that vote counted in a fair and free election," Esparza emphasized, underscoring the importance of protecting both voters and election officials from intimidation and violence. The Department of Justice is reinforcing its commitment to deterring election-related crimes, such as voter intimidation, fraudulent activities, and disenfranchisement. Devlin's appointment as the DEO serves as an integral piece in the wider puzzle of federal efforts to safeguard the electoral process.
The Department is not standing alone in this endeavor; the FBI will have special agents assigned to their field offices across the nation to handle allegations related to election fraud and other abuses. The San Antonio FBI field office can be contacted at (210) 225-6741, while the El Paso office can be reached at (915) 832-5000 ready to field any concerns on Election Day.
Esparza further urged the public to play an active role in maintaining election integrity, stating, "It is important that those who have specific information about voting rights concerns or election fraud make that information available to the Department of Justice." Reports of potential federal voting rights law violations can be submitted directly to the Civil Rights Division via an online complaint form or through the phone. In cases of immediate danger or violence at polling sites, citizens are advised to contact local police through 911 before seeking federal assistance.
