The Department of Justice (DOJ) has announced a comprehensive plan to protect voting rights, prosecute election-related crimes, and secure upcoming elections from domestic and foreign threats. Through the Civil Rights Division, Criminal Division, National Security Division (NSD), and U.S. Attorneys’ Offices nationwide, the DOJ aims to ensure that every eligible voter can cast a ballot free from discrimination, intimidation, and interference.

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Civil Rights Division: Ensuring Access for All Voters

The DOJ’s Civil Rights Division plays a central role in enforcing federal laws to protect citizens’ voting rights. Key protections include:

  • Preventing Discriminatory Practices: Safeguarding against voter discrimination based on race, language, or disability.
  • Combating Intimidation: Protecting voters from harassment and intimidation at the polls.
  • Assisting Disabled and Non-English Speakers: Providing voting assistance to those with disabilities and those who speak limited English.
  • Securing Absentee Voting for U.S. Citizens Abroad: Ensuring voting access for service members and citizens living abroad.

To support voters, the Civil Rights Division has set up a hotline for complaints about voting rights and a dedicated ADA hotline for disability-related voting issues. Complaints can be submitted online, and attorneys coordinate responses nationwide.

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Criminal Division and Election Crime Prevention

The Criminal Division works with U.S. Attorneys and the FBI to address election-related crimes, including ballot tampering and voter fraud. District Election Officers oversee investigations in each U.S. Attorney’s Office, ensuring that any complaints of election tampering are handled promptly. Key areas of focus include:

  • Prosecuting Election Crimes: Addressing cases of ballot tampering, fraudulent registrations, and vote-buying.
  • Protecting Election Officials: Preventing intimidation or threats directed at election officials.
  • Maintaining Postal and Election Official Integrity: Investigating claims of misconduct involving election duties.

Special FBI agents stationed nationwide are on call to respond to complaints, with local FBI offices available for public reporting on election issues.

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National Security Division: Protecting Against Foreign Interference

The DOJ’s National Security Division (NSD) collaborates with the FBI and Department of Homeland Security to combat foreign influence, cyber threats, and extremist activities targeting elections. Its main initiatives include:

  • Countering Disinformation: Monitoring and addressing social media misinformation affecting voter perception.
  • Securing Voting Infrastructure: Protecting against cyber threats to election systems.
  • Mitigating Violent Extremism: Preparing for and countering threats of violence related to elections.

The NSD remains ready to address credible threats, coordinating closely with U.S. Attorneys and FBI field offices to respond effectively.

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Encouraging Public Vigilance

With the election approaching, the DOJ urges citizens to report any potential violations related to voting rights, election fraud, or security threats. Resources for public complaints are available at justice.gov/voting and justice.gov/criminal/criminal-pin/election-crimes-branch.