July 31, 2012

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. --U.S. Attorney William C. Killian announced today that Assistant U.S. Attorney (AUSA) Perry H. Piper will lead the efforts of his office in connection with the Department of Justice (Department) nationwide Election Day Program for the upcoming August 2, 2012 primary elections. AUSA Piper has been appointed to serve as the District Election Officer (DEO) for the Eastern District of Tennessee and in that capacity is responsible for overseeing the district’s handling of complaints of election fraud and voting rights abuses in consultation with Department headquarters in Washington.

U.S. Attorney Killian said, “Every citizen must be able to vote without interference or discrimination. The Department of Justice will act promptly and aggressively to protect the integrity of the election process.”

U.S. Attorney Killian stated that AUSA/DEO Piper will be on duty in this District while the polls are open. He can be reached by the public at the following telephone number 423-752-5140.

In addition, the FBI will have Special Agents available in each field office and resident agency throughout the country to receive allegations of election fraud and other election abuses on Election Day. The FBI can be reached by the public at 865-544-0751.

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

U.S. Attorney Killian said, “The effectiveness of our Election Day Program depends in large part on the watchfulness and cooperation of the American electorate. It is imperative that those who have specific information about discrimination or election fraud make that information available immediately to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, FBI, or the Civil Rights Division.”