Election fraud has been a hot topic for years, most notably on the federal level after talk of foreign involvement in domestic elections. The FBI’s Anchorage Field Office released public guidance on election crimes and security on Tuesday, ahead of the November 3 general election.
Chris Gonzalez, Special Agent with the FBI Anchorage Field Office: “I think our Special Agent in Charge, Robert Britt, said it best when he said that the FBI has primary jurisdiction over election fraud and voter fraud. What we want to do is we want to make sure every American citizen has the right to vote in a fair and honest election. So, we echo that across the nation and here in Anchorage. While the state has the primary responsibility for conducting a free and fair election, the FBI here and throughout the nation, stands ready to investigate any federal election crimes.”
He said that the FBI’s role in the process should bolster confidence in the election process: “It should always be a concern, each and every election, because want to make sure that the people’s voice is heard and heard accurately. Americans have a right to expect fair, open, and honest elections. It’s really the cornerstone of our democracy, and when we have a confident public, they’re more likely to vote and they’re more likely to trust the outcome of the election. So, while it may be a topic within social media and in the news now, it’s something that the FBI has always and will always be focused on.”
Nationwide, the FBI has initiated public awareness messaging about election security at fbi.gov and across its social media platforms. The FBI’s goal is to increase public awareness and to inform Americans how they can help the FBI ensure a safe and secure election.