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Press Release

U.S. Attorney Williams Announces November 2016 Election Day Program and Appoints District Election Officer

For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, District of Oregon

PORTLAND, Ore. – Billy J. Williams, United States Attorney for the District of Oregon, announced today that Assistant United States Attorney (AUSA) Adrian Brown will lead the District of Oregon’s efforts to protect voting rights and address complaints of election fraud and abuse in the upcoming November 8, 2016 general election. As the District Election Officer, AUSA Brown will oversee local implementation of the Justice Department’s nationwide Election Day Program.

“It is the mission of the Department of Justice and all United States Attorney’s Offices to act promptly and aggressively to protect the integrity of our electoral process,” said U.S. Attorney Williams. “Discrimination, voter interference, and election fraud will not be tolerated. I encourage anyone with knowledge of any voting abuses or fraud,” continued Williams, “to immediately contact my office, the FBI, or the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division.”

The Department of Justice has an important role in deterring election fraud and discrimination wherever such acts occur. The Justice Department’s longstanding Election Day Program furthers these goals and seeks to ensure public confidence in the integrity of the electoral process. The appointment of a District Election Officer within each United States Attorney’s Office gives voters an easy way to report possible election fraud and voting rights violations.

Federal law protects against such crimes as intimidating, bribing, or impersonating voters, buying and selling votes, altering vote tallies, stuffing ballot boxes, and marking ballots for voters against their wishes or without their input. The law also contains special protections for the rights of voters and ensures that all voters can vote without the fear of intimidation or harassment. Actions intended to interrupt or intimidate voters violate federal voting rights law. Federal law also protects the right of voters to mark their own ballot or to be assisted by a person of their choice.

To file complaints of election fraud or other voting rights abuses, please contact AUSA Brown at (503) 727-1000 or Special Agent Caleb Williams with the FBI’s Portland Field Office at (503) 224-4181. Additionally, complaints can filed directly with the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division Voting Section in Washington, DC by phone (800-253-3931 or 202-307-2767), fax (202-307-3961), email (voting.section@udsoj.gov), or online form (go.usa.gov/xkvn4).

Updated October 25, 2016

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