United States Attorney Appoints District Election Officer Pursuant to Nationwide Federal Election Day Program
Federal Prosecutors and Agents Work with State Authorities

BALTIMORE—United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein announced today that Assistant U.S. Attorney Tonya N. Kelly has been appointed to serve as the federal District Election Officer for Maryland in connection with the Justice Department’s nationwide Election Day Program for 2012. AUSA Kelly is responsible for overseeing the federal response to any complaints of election fraud and voting rights abuses in consultation with state authorities, the FBI, and Justice Department Headquarters.

“The Justice Department’s nationwide election day program deters election fraud and discrimination and promotes public confidence in the integrity of the election process by encouraging citizens to report allegations of election fraud and voting rights violations,” said U.S. Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein. “Every U.S. Attorney appoints an election officer to review specific allegations of wrongdoing, consult with state and federal authorities where appropriate, and pursue any evidence that warrants prosecution.”

Federal law protects the right to vote free from intimidation or harassment. It prevents intimidating or bribing voters, buying or selling votes, altering vote tallies, stuffing ballot boxes, and marking ballots against voters’ wishes or without their input.

The FBI will have special agents available in Maryland to receive allegations of election fraud and other election abuses during the election. They can be reached at 410-265-8080.

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

Maryland’s District Election Officer can be reached at 410-209-4800.