U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of California issued the following announcement on Oct. 19.
U.S. Attorney Robert Brewer announced that Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher P. Tenorio will lead the efforts on behalf of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in connection with the Justice Department’s nationwide Election Day Program for the upcoming general election on November 3, 2020.
Mr. Tenorio has been appointed to serve as the District Election Officer for the Southern District of California, which includes San Diego and Imperial Counties. He will be responsible for overseeing the district’s handling of complaints of voting rights abuses and election fraud, in consultation with Justice Department Headquarters in Washington, D.C.
“Every citizen must be able to vote without interference or discrimination,” Brewer said. “The Department of Justice is committed to protecting the integrity of the election process, stopping fraud, and making sure votes are not stolen.”
The Department of Justice has an important role in deterring and responding to election fraud and discrimination at the polls. The Department’s long-standing Election Day Program aims to enhance this role and ensure public confidence in the integrity of the election process. To this end, the Department is providing local points of contact for the public to report possible election fraud and voting rights violations through Election Day.
Federal law prohibits intimidating or bribing voters, buying and selling votes, impersonating voters, altering vote tallies, stuffing ballot boxes, and marking ballots for voters against their wishes or without their input. Federal law also protects voters from intimidation and harassment, including challenges at polling places designed to interrupt or intimidate voters, or the photographing or videotaping of voters under the pretext of uncovering illegal voting. Federal law also protects the right of voters to mark their own ballot or to receive assistance by a person of their choice to overcome a disability or illiteracy.
In order to respond to complaints of election fraud or voting rights concerns during the voting period that ends on November 3, 2020, and to ensure that such complaints are directed to the appropriate authorities, United States Attorney Brewer stated that AUSA/DEO Tenorio will be on duty while the polls are open. The public can reach him at (619) 909-7556.
Original source can be found here.