The Justice Department will oversee elections in several Georgia counties

ATLANTA – The U.S. Department of Justice announced Friday that it will monitor voting procedures in several Georgia counties during the upcoming Nov. 5 general election. Federal officials will oversee compliance with voting rights laws in Cobb, DeKalb, Fulton, Gwinnett and Macon-Bibb counties. to ensure that elections are conducted fairly.

“Free and fair elections are essential to our nation’s democracy,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Buchanan of the Northern District of Georgia. “Every eligible voter has the right to vote without fear of intimidation, interference or discrimination. Our office will devote the necessary resources to ensure that this fundamental right is protected for all voters.”

U.S. Attorney Peter D. Leary of the Middle District of Georgia echoed the commitment to protect the rights of voters in Macon-Bibb County, where the monitoring will also take place.

The Department of Justice regularly deploys staff to monitor elections for compliance with federal civil rights laws. This year’s effort will be coordinated by the department’s Civil Rights Division, which will include staff in the field and in communication with state and local election officials as needed throughout Election Day.

The Voting Section of the Civil Rights Division enforces federal statutes that protect the right to vote, including the Voting Rights Act, the National Voter Registration Act, the Help America Vote Act, the Uniformed Citizens Absentee Voting Act and more also increase the Civil Rights Act. The division’s Disability Rights Section ensures voting access for people with disabilities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The Criminal Division enforces federal laws that prohibit voter intimidation and suppression based on race, color, national origin, or religion.

On Election Day, the public can report potential violations of federal voting rights laws through Department of Justice website or by calling toll free at 800-253-3931. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia can also take complaints at 404-581-6001, while the Middle District office can be reached at 478-621-2698.

For ADA-related questions or complaints, individuals may contact the department’s toll-free ADA Information Line at 800-514-0301 or 833-610-1264 (TTY) or submit a complaint via ADA website.

Election-related disruptions should be reported to local election officials, including those at polling stations. Incidents involving violence, threats, or intimidation should be reported immediately to the local police by calling 911 and then to the Department of Justice.

Comprehensive resources and guidance on voting and federal election laws are available at www.justice.gov/voting and www.justice.gov/crt/voting-section.