will be observing polling locations today in Pawtucket, Rhode Island as part of its mission to secure ballot integrity, maintain transparency into the voting process, and enforce compliance with federal law.
“This is our last stop on what has been a successful midterm primary monitoring effort,” said Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “I am proud to say we have visited eleven states and hundreds of polling locations. We will continue this work through the midterm general elections to assure the American public of the fairness and security of the voting process.”
“The Rhode Island United States Attorney’s Office is proud to continue its partnership with the Civil Rights Division and coordination between the federal and local levels to ensure that elections are held in compliance with all laws.” said First Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles C. Calenda for the District of Rhode Island.
The Department will be sending four members from the Civil Rights Division’s Voting Section and the Rhode Island USAO to various polling sites throughout the city.
On July 30, 2024, the Department secured a Consent Decree ensuring that the City of Pawtucket would meet its obligations under Section 203 of the Voting Rights Act and Section 302 of the Help America Vote Act. United States v. City of Pawtucket et al., Case No. 24-cv-209 (D.R.I. 2024). Pursuant to this Consent Decree, the Department is authorized to observe election procedures.
The Civil Rights Division’s Voting Section enforces various federal statutes that protect the right to vote, including the Voting Rights Act, National Voter Registration Act, Help America Vote Act, Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and the Civil Rights Acts.
From now and up to Election Day on Nov. 3, Civil Rights Division personnel will be available to receive questions and complaints from the public related to possible violations of federal voting rights laws through the Civil Rights Division’s website at civilrights.justice.gov