By WMBD-TV
SPRINGFIELD – Federal prosecutors will be monitoring Election Day complaints and will be in communication with the Justice Department in Washington, D.C. The program is an practice that’s been in place for at least the last 20 years of presidential elections.
U.S. Attorney Gregory Harris, who is top prosecutor for the Central District of Illinois said four attorneys would be in each of the district’s four offices — Springfield, Peoria, Urbana and Rock Island.
They will serve as District Election Officers and oversee the handling of election day complaints of voting rights concerns, 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,” Harris said. “Similarly, election officials and staff must be able to serve without being subject to unlawful threats of violence.
“The Department of Justice will always work tirelessly to protect the integrity of the election process,” he added.
The Justice Department oversees discrimination and intimidation at the polls, threats of violence directed at election officials and poll workers, and election fraud, all of which are against the law, according to Harris’ office.
The Department’s longstanding Election Day Program seeks to ensure public confidence in the electoral process by providing local points of contact within the Department for the public to report possible federal election law violations.
The Voting Rights Act protects the right of voters to mark their own ballot or to be assisted by a person of their choice, according to the Justice Department. Harris said his attorneys will be on duty to make sure that complaints of voting rights concerns and election fraud are directed to the appropriate authorities.
To reach the attorneys, please call
- Springfield: First Assistant U.S. Attorney Gregory M. Gilmore, (217) 492-4450
- Urbana: Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy J. Sullivan, (217) 373-5875
- Peoria: Supervisory Assistant U.S. Attorney Darilynn J. Knauss, (309) 671-7050; and
- Rock Island: Supervisory Assistant U.S. Attorney John K. Mehochko, (309) 793-5884
The FBI, Harris said, will also have agents working on Election Day in each of its field offices. To reach that office, one can call (217) 522-9675.
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.
“Ensuring free and fair elections depends in large part on the assistance of the American electorate. 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,” he said.
Harris said that people should also call 911 first as local police have immediate jurisdiction and usually can arrive faster.
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