Van Hollen: On Election Day, attorneys general, special agents will be watching at polling locations

MADISON (WITI) — Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen says the Wisconsin Department of Justice (DOJ), as a part of its ongoing election integrity efforts, will again be sending assistant attorneys general and special agents from the Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) to various polling locations across the state on Election Day (Tuesday, November 4, 2014), to observe, to assist local election officials and to ensure compliance with state laws governing elections.

Teams will be assigned to Milwaukee (in cooperation with the Milwaukee County District Attorney's Office), Madison, Appleton, Eau Claire, Green Bay, Janesville and Beloit, Kenosha and Racine, Wausau and Stevens Point, Waukesha, and La Crosse.  All of the attorneys and agents who serve as election monitors are trained and prepared to assist state and local election officials and law enforcement.

“The democratic process is undermined when people engage in unlawful voting or otherwise commit fraud on the elections process. We have an obligation to make certain our elections are fair and legal, and that voters have confidence in the process.  While I do not expect any problems, our department’s teams of attorneys and agents will be ready to respond statewide if needed," Van Hollen said.

For the 2004, 2008, 2010 and 2012 General Elections, and the 2012 Recall Election, the DOJ also dispatched teams of assistant attorneys general and special agents trained on election law, voting rights and the responsibilities and rights of election observers.

On Wednesday, October 29th, the DOJ held a webinar for district attorneys on election law, in cooperation with the Government Accountability Board. In addition, the DOJ distributed resource materials to prosecutors in every district attorney's office.  A fact sheet about this year's election integrity efforts is available here.

Anyone who suspects a violation of election law at a polling location should contact local election authorities or local law enforcement.

Individuals with problems or complaints about their voting experiences should contact the Government Accountability Board at 1-866-Vote-WIS, or online at: http://gab.wi.gov/complaints.