News release:
In an effort to ensure that the November 8, 2016 elections are administered fairly in every city and town in Connecticut, Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, Patricia M. Ferrick, Special Agent in Charge of the New Haven Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation Michael J. Brandi, Executive Director of the Connecticut State Elections Enforcement Commission, Denise Merrill, Connecticut Secretary of the State, and Kevin T. Kane, Connecticut Chief State’s Attorney, today announced that a telephone hotline will be available for use by anyone who witnesses or experiences voting irregularities on Election Day.
The hotline will be staffed by the Connecticut State Elections Enforcement Commission (SEEC) during polling hours on Election Day. Anyone with knowledge of election fraud or voting rights abuses is encouraged to call 1-866-733-2463 (1-866-SEEC-INFO) to report suspected violations. The number is toll-free statewide. Individuals also can call the SEEC at 860-256-2940. The SEEC staff will answer questions, advise on complaint procedures and, if appropriate, request the assistance of state criminal or federal law enforcement authorities in the investigation and possible prosecution of the matter.
Citizens can also send an email to elections@ct.gov to communicate with the SEEC and the Secretary of the State’s office on Election Day.
>The SEEC is the primary elections investigative and civil enforcement authority in Connecticut. The Secretary of the State’s office is charged with overseeing all elections in Connecticut, which includes advising and assisting local Registrars of Voters and Town Clerks on their statutory responsibilities regarding administration of elections.
Federal law protects against 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. It also contains special protections for the rights of voters and provides that they can vote free from acts that intimidate or harass them. For example, actions of persons designed to interrupt or intimidate voters at polling places by questioning or challenging them, or by photographing or videotaping them, under the pretext that these are actions to uncover illegal voting may violate federal voting rights law. Further, federal law protects the right of voters to mark their own ballot or to be assisted by a person of their choice.
On Election Day, representatives of the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the FBI will be in direct contact with the SEEC, the Secretary of the State’s office and the office of the Chief State’s Attorney in order to receive any complaints of electoral corruption or civil rights violations. Assistant U.S. Attorney Susan Wines has been appointed to serve as the District Election Officer for the District of Connecticut. In that capacity, she is responsible for overseeing the District’s handling of complaints of election fraud and voting rights abuses in consultation with Justice Department Headquarters in Washington.
The FBI in Connecticut and across the country will have special agents available to receive allegations of election fraud and other election abuses on Election Day. The local FBI field office in New Haven can be reached directly at 203-777-6311, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office can be reached at 203-821-3700. In addition, complaints about ballot access problems or discrimination can be made directly to the Civil Rights Division’s Voting Section in Washington by calling 1-800-253-3931 or 202-307-2767, or by emailing voting.section@usdoj.gov.
There is an election on Tuesday. I haven’t heard a word. I haven’t received any campaign literature. I have not received a robo call. I have not been asked to serve, I have not been asked to pass out literature. I guess in the largest city in the state I figured I would see at least a few campaign signs. Kudos to Rosa Correa, I have seen her signs everywhere. Maybe we can learn from the most important Presidential election in history. If the city were not intending to suppress the vote, we do not have to see 1000’s of Mayoral signs polluting our city. Just saying. I will be celebrating election night outside my city surrounded by both Democrats and Republicans who have been working on the campaign to Get Hillary Clinton elected. 🙂
Steve, Bob Walsh makes a good point. Steve, Clinton and the Democratic Party have NOT put money into the big urban cities where people of color reside and they always know they need that vote in order to win. Hillary isn’t going to get the Obama coalition that put him into office for two elections, Hillary doesn’t excite black voters the way Obama does. Hillary and the Democratic Party knew this two years ago but just like local, state and national Democrats, take the black vote for granted. Yes they will get over 90% of the black vote but 90% of what if the black voters come out in big numbers. One group of voters that will come out in great numbers are black females, they have always been the most loyal voters in the Democratic Party.
They are not excited about Hillary–good. Let Trump win. Get excited for how you will feel in eight years. We know Clinton didn’t put money into Connecticut. Sad the black leadership can’t do anything without a handout. The Obama coalition can stay home. I guess they will vote when we have another black candidate. How pathetic is that. You get what you get! I expect Democrats will come out and vote. If not, the Obama Coalition can sit around the dinner table talking about how they fucked Hillary laughing as Trump takes office and takes care of those living in hell!
Really takes care of them and in eight years when the Obama coalition joins the rest of humanity they will never miss a vote again. What say you, Mr. Mackey? I have black friends who love Hillary. They felt bad they did not support her eight years ago and that was understood. I do not think any minority will stay home on election day. The Hispanic community will decide this election. Obama campaigning for Hillary will not be in vain. My comment was referring to the leadership of this city. From the Mayor on down to the DTC. Clinton will owe us nothing.
Steve,
What do you think a volunteer is? You should be making the contact and telling the candidates of your choice that you are available to help out.
That is what I always do.
Bob, you are correct! I have been working on the Clinton Campaign in Westport, Norwalk and West Haven where I will be Tuesday night. I will definitely stop off at the Marilyn Moore Headquarters after school and my Dr. appointment and offer a few hours. I am just disturbed the most important election in this city and we have been pretty damned pathetic. Trump deserves to win!