CONCORD – U.S. Attorney Erin Creegan recently announced that she and her colleagues are ready and able to protect the integrity of the Nov. 3 midterm election.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexander Chen has been designated as the state’s election officer and will oversee the handling of Election Day complaints of voting rights concerns, threats of violence to election officials or staff, election fraud and serve as a point of contact should any federal election crimes need to be reported.

Federal election monitors, led by the U.S. Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division, will also be observing compliance with federal laws regarding voter registration and eligibility at various polling places.

The U.S. Department of Justice may also receive and respond to reports from the New Hampshire Department of Justice or the Secretary of State’s Office and jointly ensure that any problems voters encounter at polling places are investigated and handled.

“Each election season, our office takes steps to ensure that all Granite State voters who want to cast a ballot can do so without any fear of interference or fraud,” said Creegan. “We are committed to ensuring a free and fair election on Nov. 3 and as always, will work with our law enforcement partners to combat and investigate any election crimes that threaten the integrity of voting.”

Key enforcement priorities for the election include:

-Ensuring all eligible New Hampshire voters may vote free from discrimination, harassment, coercion or unlawful interference.

-Monitoring compliance with federal laws governing voter registration and eligibility.

-Addressing reports of credible allegations involving election day ballot tampering, voter impersonation, unlawful interference with polling locations or fraudulent absentee ballot practices. Any credible threat to election integrity or voter access in the state of New Hampshire will be quickly addressed.

Federal law protects against crimes such as threatening violence against election officials or staff, intimidating or bribing voters, buying and selling votes, impersonating voters, altering vote tallies, stuffing ballot boxes and marking ballots for voters against their wishes or without their input. It also contains special protections for the rights of voters, and provides that they can vote free from interference, including intimidation, and other acts designed to prevent or discourage people from voting or voting for the candidate of their choice. The Voting Rights Act protects the right of voters to mark their own ballot or to be assisted by a person of their choice (where voters need assistance because of disability or inability to read or write in English).

In order to respond to complaints of voting rights concerns and election fraud during the upcoming election and to ensure that such complaints are directed to the appropriate authorities, the election officer will be available in New Hampshire while the polls are open. He can be reached at 603-545-5152.

The public plays a critical role in maintaining election security. Anyone who witnesses or has direct knowledge of potential election fraud, voter intimidation, or unlawful voting activity is strongly encouraged to report it immediately. Please visit the official FBI Tips Portal or contact local law enforcement to report potential election fraud or voting irregularities.

Complaints regarding voter discrimination or civil rights violations can also be directed to the Civil Rights Division via the Department of Justice Civil Rights Reporting Portal or by phone at 800-253-3931.

Violations of state elections laws may be reported to the New Hampshire Department of Justice Election Day Hotline at 866-868-3703.

In the case of possible violence or threats at or near a polling place on Election Day, please do not wait, call 911 immediately.

New Hampshire permits same day registration to vote on Election Day. For more information about how to register, what forms of identification are required to register and to vote, the location of your polling place, and other frequently asked questions, see the New Hampshire Secretary of State’s webpage, https://www.sos.nh.gov/elections.