Assistant U.S. Attorney Designated to Handle Voter Fraud, Abuse Complaints

Assistant U.S. Attorney James P. Gillis is leading efforts in Northern Virginia to investigate any residents' complaints of possible voter fraud and voter abuses on Election Day. 

Gillis was appointed as District Election Officer for the Eastern District of Virgina by U.S. Attorney Neil H. MacBride as part of the U.S. Department of Justice's Election Day Program, according to a release issued by MacBride's office.

The purpose of the program is to ensure public confidence in the integrity of the election process by providing points of contact to receive election-related complaints, MacBride said in a release.

Federal law prohibits harassing, intimidating or bribing voters as well as buying and selling votes, altering vote tallies, stuffing ballot boxes and marking ballots for voters against their wishes or without their input. Voters must mark their own ballot or choose someone to do it for them.

It is also illegal to interrupt or intimidate voters at polling places by questioning or challenging them, or by photographing or videotaping them, under the pretext of uncovering illegal voting.

Gillis and other District Election Officers can be reached at 703-299-3700 on Nov. 6 after polls open.

FBI special agents will be on hand at each field office and resident agency to receive allegations of election fraud and abuse. 

FBI can be reached by the public regarding Election Day complaints at 202-278-2000.          

Any complaints about ballot access problems or discrimination can be made directly to the Civil Rights Division’s Voting Section in Washington at 1-800-253-3931 or  202-307-2767.