Federal election officers will monitor for voter fraud

CINCINNATI - As voters head to the polls, the Justice Department will have election officers in Greater Cincinnati to make  sure voters will be able to cast their ballots without any problems or interference.

The officers are responsible for overseeing the Cincinnati district's handling of complaints of election fraud and voting rights abuses.

"Every citizen must be able to vote without interference or discrimination and to have that vote counted without it being stolen because of fraud. The Department of Justice will act promptly and aggressively to protect the integrity of the election process," said U.S. Attorney Carter M. Stewart.

Federal law protects voters from crimes such as intimidating or bribing voters, buying and selling votes, altering vote tallies, stuffing ballot boxes and marking ballots for voters against their wishes or without their input.

The FBI will have special agents available in each field office to receive allegations of election fraud and other election abuses on Election Day. Residents can contact the Cincinnati field office at (513) 421-4310.

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 1-202-307-2767.