BOSTON – The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts announced on Monday that election monitors will observe polling locations in eight Massachusetts municipalities on election day, Tuesday, Nov. 5.
Election monitors will be present in Fitchburg, Leominster, Everett,Lowell, Malden, Methuen, Quincy and Salem on Tuesday.
The Department of Justice (DOJ) announced it would deploy monitors in 86 jurisdictions in 27 states nationwide on election day. Monitors will observe locations for compliance with the Voting Rights Act.
The U.S., Attorney’s Office announces it appointed a District Election Officer to supervise the handling of complaints on election day including threats of violence to election officials and staff and election fraud. The monitor will work in consultation with DOJ in Washington D.C.
The Voting Rights Act prohibits state and local governments using voting practices or election rules that deny or restrict voting rights because of a citizen’s race or color, or which result in citizens within language minority group having less opportunity to vote.
The DOJ Civil Rights Division enforces civil aspects of the Voting Rights Act (VRA), National Voter Registration Act, Help America Vote Act, Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act and Civil Rights Acts. The Disability Rights Section enforces the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to ensure that persons with disabilities have a full and equal opportunity to vote. The DOJ Criminal Section enforces federal criminal statues which prohibit voter intimidation and voter suppression based on race, color, national origin or religion.
Those with concerns or complaints about voting rights should contac tthe U.S. Attorney’s Office in Boston at (933) 634-8669.
Violations of federal voting rights law should be reported to the Civil Rights Division through this form or at (800) 253-3931.
ADA related complains should be reported to (800) 514-0301 or (833) 610-1264 (TTY) , or by using this website.
