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STATEMENT BY ATTORNEY GENERAL JANET RENO

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Continuing a longstanding Justice Department tradition, Attorney General Janet Reno today issued the following statement in advance of next Tuesday's elections:

• "Next Tuesday, Americans will have the opportunity once again to help shape the future of this nation by exercising their right to vote. It is a right that forms the foundation of our democratic system of government. It is especially precious for those millions of Americans who have taken steps to register to vote since the last elections for federal office.

• "At the Justice Department, we are committed to vigorously enforcing federal election laws ensuring that the right to vote is not subverted through intimidation, suppression, coercion or fraud.

• "Federal law protects against such crimes as intimidating or bribing voters, buying and selling votes, altering vote tallies, stuffing ballot boxes, marking ballots for voters against their wishes, and intimidating voters. It also contains special protections for the rights of minority voters and guarantees that they can vote free from acts that intimidate or harass them. For example, actions of persons designed to interrupt or intimidate voters at polling places located in minority areas by questioning or challenging them, or by photographing or videotaping them, under the pretext that these are actions to uncover illegal voting may violate federal voting rights law and will not be tolerated. Further, federal law protects the right of voters to mark their own ballot or to be assisted by a person of their choice.

• "As in the past, every United States Attorney across the nation, working with the FBI, is establishing a special unit to receive reports of corrupt voting practices and to investigate citizen's complaint that their voting rights have been violated. Anyone who sees evidence of election fraud should contact the U.S. Attorney's office in their area or the FBI.

• "In addition, since the passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, the Justice Department has regularly sent observers around the country to protect the rights of minority voters. This year will be no exception. The counties to which federal Voting Rights Act observers will be assigned will be announced on Monday, November 6, 2000."

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