The FBI is warning against election crimes including but not limited to fraud, civil right and finance violations, and how to report suspected violations.  FBI Springfield Field Office Special Agent in Charge David Nanz says that individual states have primary responsibility for conducting fair and free elections, but the FBI plays an important role in protecting federal interests. “Our focus is on protecting elections from potential threats so the American people can have confidence in their democratic process.”

Federal law protects against such crimes as threatening violence against election officials or staff, intimidating or bribing voters, buying and selling votes, impersonating voters, changing vote tallies, stuffing ballot boxes, or any other violations. An election crime becomes a federal crime when there are one or more federal candidates on the ballot and election or polling place officials abuse their office, the conduct involves voter or ballot fraud, the crime is motivated by hostility towards minority groups, the activity violates federal campaign finance law, or a voter intentionally gives false info when registering to vote.  

The FBI is also looking for ineligible persons voting, or anyone voting more than once. Election officials should never use their office to benefit a candidate or party, and a voter should never receive something of value in exchange for a vote.  FBI Springfield will have special agents available throughout the coverage area to receive allegations of election fraud and other election abuses on election day. 

FBI Springfield can be reached at 217-522-9675 or via email at springfield@fbi.gov. In the instance of a crime of violence or intimidation, please call 911 immediately before contacting federal authorities. State and local police have primary jurisdiction over polling places and faster reaction capacity in an emergency.