Officials prep for voter fraud issues

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI)- The United States Attorney's Office and the FBI are preparing to deal with complaints of election fraud and voting rights abuses prior to the November 6 general election.

Assistant U.S.. Attorney Terrence P. Donnelly has been appointed as the District Election Officer for the state and will oversee complaint handling.

Federal law protects against such crimes as intimidating or bribing voters, buying and selling votes, stuffing ballot boxes, and marking ballots for voters against their wishes.

The Justice Department's Election Day program aims to deter election fraud and discrimination at the polls. It also provides a local point of contact within the Department for the public to report possible election fraud and voting rights violations.

The FBI. will also have special agents available in each field office throughout the country.

The local office in Rhode Island can be reached at (401) 272-8310.

Complaints against ballot access problems or discrimination can be made to the Civil Rights Division's Voting Section at 1-800-253-3931.