The Justice Department has announced its intention to monitor compliance with federal voting rights laws in Portage County, Ohio. This monitoring will occur during the early voting period and on Election Day. The department's role is to ensure that all citizens have access to the ballot without facing intimidation or threats.
Concerns have been raised by voters in Portage County regarding potential intimidation, particularly involving surveillance and the collection of personal voter information. These actions are prohibited under Section 11(b) of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, which outlaws any form of intimidation or coercion related to voting activities.
The Civil Rights Division’s Voting Section, alongside U.S. Attorneys’ Offices, is responsible for enforcing civil provisions of various federal statutes designed to protect voting rights. These include the Voting Rights Act, National Voter Registration Act, Help America Vote Act, Civil Rights Acts, and Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act.
Individuals who wish to report voter intimidation in Portage County or any other violations of federal voting rights laws can do so via the Civil Rights Division’s online reporting portal or by phone. Additional resources and information about voting laws are available on the Justice Department's website.