Merrick B. Garland, Attorney General | https://www.justice.gov/
Merrick B. Garland, Attorney General | https://www.justice.gov/
The United States Attorney's Office in Jackson, Mississippi, has announced its participation in the Justice Department’s nationwide Election Day Program for the general election on November 5, 2024. Assistant United States Attorneys Bert Carraway and Samuel Goff will lead efforts as District Election Officers for the Southern District of Mississippi. They will oversee complaints related to voting rights, threats to election officials or staff, and election fraud.
United States Attorney Todd Gee emphasized the importance of a fair electoral process: “Every citizen must be able to vote without interference or discrimination and to have that vote counted in a fair and free election. Similarly, election officials and staff must be able to serve without being subject to unlawful threats of violence.”
The Department of Justice plays a key role in preventing discrimination and intimidation at polling stations, addressing threats against election workers, and combating election fraud. The Election Day Program aims to ensure public confidence by providing local contact points for reporting potential federal election law violations.
Federal law prohibits crimes such as threatening violence against election personnel, voter intimidation or bribery, vote buying or selling, voter impersonation, altering vote counts, ballot stuffing, and marking ballots without voters' consent. It also safeguards voters' rights under the Voting Rights Act.
Attorney Gee highlighted the importance of protecting voting rights: “The franchise is the cornerstone of American democracy. We all must ensure that those who are entitled to the franchise can exercise it if they choose.”
On Election Day, AUSAs Carraway and Goff will be available for public contact regarding voting concerns at 601-973-2826 or 601-973-2855. Additionally, FBI special agents across the country will handle allegations of election fraud with local field office contact available at 601-948-5000.
Complaints about federal voting rights violations can also be directed to the Civil Rights Division in Washington via https://civilrights.justice.gov/ or by phone at 800-253-3931.
Attorney Gee encouraged public assistance: “Ensuring free and fair elections depends in large part on the assistance of the American electorate.” He advised immediate calls to 911 for crimes involving violence or intimidation before contacting federal authorities due to state and local police having primary jurisdiction over polling places.
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