United States Attorney Jane E. Young Appoints District Election Officer for the November 5, 2024 General Election

CONCORD – An Assistant United States Attorney (AUSA) has been designated as the District of New Hampshire’s Election Officer to lead the efforts of the United States Attorney’s Office in connection with the U.S. Department of Justice’s nationwide Election Day Program for the upcoming general election on November 5, 2024, United States Attorney Jane E. Young announces.

The Assistant United States Attorney will oversee the district’s handling of election day complaints of voting rights concerns, threats of violence to election officials or staff, and election fraud.

“While there is a designated Election Officer, the entire United States Attorney’s Office is committed to supporting a free and fair election. Last year, a Civil Rights Assistant U.S. Attorney was appointed to ensure every citizen can live their lives free of discrimination, including when voting,” said United States Attorney Jane E. Young. “The United States Attorney’s Office will work tirelessly to protect the integrity of the election process, and as always, will work with our law enforcement partners to combat threats of violence directed at public servants.”

Federal law protects against crimes such as threatening violence against election officials or staff, intimidating or bribing voters, buying and selling votes, impersonating voters, altering vote tallies, stuffing ballot boxes, and marking ballots for voters against their wishes or without their input.  It also contains special protections for the rights of voters, and provides that they can vote free from interference, including intimidation, and other acts designed to prevent or discourage people from voting or voting for the candidate of their choice.  The Voting Rights Act protects the right of voters to mark their own ballot or to be assisted by a person of their choice (where voters need assistance because of disability or inability to read or write in English).   

In order to respond to complaints of voting rights concerns and election fraud during the upcoming election, and to ensure that such complaints are directed to the appropriate authorities, the District’s Election Officer will be available in New Hampshire while the polls are open. The District’s Election Officer can be reached by the public at the following telephone number: (603) 406-1242.

In addition, the FBI field office will have special agents available to receive allegations of election fraud and other election abuses on election day.  The local FBI field office can be reached by the public at 857-386-2000.

Complaints about possible violations of the federal voting rights laws can be made directly to the Civil Rights Division in Washington, DC by complaint form at https://civilrights.justice.gov/ or by phone at 800-253-3931.

Please note, in the case of a crime of violence or intimidation, please call 911 immediately and before contacting federal authorities. State and local police have primary jurisdiction over polling places, and almost always have faster reaction capacity in an emergency.

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