Assistant US Attorney Frieda Zimmerman to oversee voting concerns in Spokane ahead of Election Day

SPOKANE, Wash. — United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington Vanessa Waldref announced Assistant United States Attorney Frieda Zimmerman will be responsible for overseeing voting concerns in the upcoming November 5 election.

Zimmerman will be responsible for handling complaints of voting rights concerns, threats of violence to election officials, and election fraud.

United States Attorney Waldref said, “Every citizen must be able to vote without interference or discrimination and to have that vote counted in a fair and free election. Similarly, election officials and staff must be able to serve without being subject to unlawful threats of violence.”

Federal law states voters can vote free from interference, including intimidation and other acts designed to discourage voting or voting for the candidate of their choice. Laws are also in place to protect against crimes or threats against elected officials, intimidating or bribing voters, buying and selling votes, impersonating voters, altering vote tallies, stuffing ballot boxes and marking ballots for voters against their wishes.

United States Attorney Waldref stated, “The right to vote is the cornerstone of American democracy. We all must ensure that those who are entitled to this right can exercise it if they choose, and that those who seek to corrupt it are brought to justice. In order to respond to complaints of voting rights concerns and election fraud during the upcoming election, and to ensure that such complaints are directed to the appropriate authorities, AUSA/DEO Zimmerman will be on duty in this District on election day. She can be reached by the public at the following telephone number: (509) 353-2767.”

Complaints about possible violations of the federal voting rights laws can be made directly to the Civil Rights Division in Washington, DC by complaint form at https://civilrights.justice.gov/ or by phone at 800-253-3931.