The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) announced it will monitor Prince George’s County, Maryland, during the general election on November 5 to ensure compliance with federal voting rights laws. This move underscores the DOJ’s commitment to safeguarding the rights of eligible citizens in accessing the ballot and preventing discriminatory practices.
The DOJ’s Civil Rights Division is spearheading the monitoring operation, deploying personnel to observe local adherence to federal civil rights laws. Staff will stay in touch with state and local election officials throughout the day, intervening as needed to address potential issues.
The monitoring initiative is part of the DOJ’s ongoing efforts to enforce civil provisions under several key statutes, including the Voting Rights Act, National Voter Registration Act, Help America Vote Act, Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act, and the Civil Rights Acts. For voters with disabilities, the DOJ’s Disability Rights Section is enforcing the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to guarantee equal voting opportunities.
The DOJ encourages anyone witnessing potential voting rights violations to report concerns on Election Day. Complaints may be submitted to the Civil Rights Division via the DOJ’s website at www.civilrights.justice.gov or by calling their toll-free hotline at 800-253-3931. The U.S. Attorney’s Office will also be accessible to address any local concerns on Election Day.
For issues specific to ADA compliance, individuals may reach out to the DOJ’s ADA hotline at 800-514-0301 or 833-610-1264 (TTY) or file a complaint online through the DOJ’s ADA website at www.ada.gov.
Concerns regarding incidents at polling locations, such as disruptions or intimidation, should be reported first to local election officials. In cases of violence or threats, immediate contact with local police via 911 is advised. The DOJ also asks individuals to report these incidents to federal authorities following notification of local law enforcement.
Further information on voting laws and resources, including the Voting Rights Act, is available at www.justice.gov/voting.
