Politics
US Attorney’s Office in Chicago Launches Hotline for Election Day Voting Rights Complaints
A polling place in Chicago is pictured in a 2023 file photo. (Michael Izquierdo / WTTW News)
The U.S. Attorney’s Office in Chicago will operate a telephone hotline on Election Day to receive complaints related to the voting process, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois Morris Pasqual announced Wednesday.
The hotline aims to help the U.S. Department of Justice deter and combat discrimination and intimidation at the polls, election fraud and threats of violence directed at election officials and poll workers, according to a news release.
“Every citizen must be able to vote without interference or discrimination, and to have that vote counted in a fair and free election,” Pasqual said in a statement. “Similarly, election officials and staff must be able to serve without being subject to unlawful threats of violence.”
The hotline numbers that will be staffed on Election Day are 312-469-6157 and 312-469-6158. Assistant U.S. attorneys and other staff will monitor the hotline.
Violations of federal election law could result in prison time and monetary fines, according to a news release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office. Violations include threatening violence against election officials, intimidating or bribing voters, buying and selling votes, impersonating voters, altering vote tallies and marking ballots for voters against their wishes.
The FBI Chicago field office will also have special agents and staff available on Election Day to receive allegations of election fraud or other election-related complaints. The phone number for the FBI Chicago field office is 312-421-6700.
Complaints can also be made to the U.S. Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division in Washington, D.C., by phone at 800-253-3931 or online at civilrights.justice.gov.
Election Day is Tuesday.
Contact Eunice Alpasan: @eunicealpasan | 773-509-5362 | [email protected]
