Election 2016: Feds to Monitor Polling Stations in Northern Virginia

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Fairfax County and Prince William County are among the 67 jurisdictions in 28 states that will be monitored by the feds in Tuesday's presidential election, according to the U.S. Justice Department. They are the only two counties in Virginia included in the program.

"The bedrock of our democracy is the right to vote, and the Department of Justice works tirelessly to uphold that right not only on Election Day, but every day," according to Attorney General Loretta Lynch.

Lawyers in the Civil Rights Division’s will staff a hotline throughout election day, along with the election monitors program.

"The department is deeply committed to the fair and unbiased application of our voting rights laws and we will work tirelessly to ensure that every eligible person that wants to do so is able to cast a ballot," Lynch said.

Clinton leads Trump in Virginia by 5 points according to an aggregate of polls by RealClear Politics.

Voting reminders:

If you're turned away at the polls:

Leading up to and throughout Election Day, Civil Rights Division staff members will be available by telephone to receive complaints related to possible violations of the federal voting rights laws (Toll free at 1-800-253-3931 or 202-307-2767 or TTY 202-305-0082). In addition, individuals may also report such complaints by fax to 202-307-3961, by email tovoting.section@usdoj.gov and by a complaint form on the department’s website: www.justice.gov/crt/votercomplaint."

If you spot election fraud:

Also, on election fraud, "complaints may be directed to any of the local U.S. Attorneys’ Offices, the local FBI offices or the Public Integrity Section at 202-514-1412. A list of U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and their telephone numbers can be found atwww.justice.gov/usao/find-your-united-states-attorney. A list of FBI offices and accompanying telephone numbers can be found at www.fbi.gov/contact-us."

If there's violence or a disruption at the polling place:

As always, complaints related to disruption at a polling place should always be reported immediately to local election officials (including officials in the polling place). Complaints related to violence, threats of violence or intimidation at a polling place should be reported immediately to local police authorities by calling 911. They should also be reported to the department after local authorities have been contacted.

Patch image