U.S. Attorney’s Office Announces Election Integrity Plan for 2026 General Election

CLEVELAND - The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Ohio, in coordination with the Department of Justice's Civil Rights Division, announced its comprehensive strategy to oversee federal voting protections and address potential election related violations.

As part of a nationwide effort to ensure a secure, transparent, and accessible election process, U.S. Attorney David M. Toepfer has named Executive Assistant U.S. Attorney Ava Rotell Dustin and Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Shepherd as the 2026 District Election Officers. They will oversee the northern Ohio district's handling of Election Day complaints in consultation with the Justice Department's Civil Rights, Criminal, and National Security Divisions in Washington.

"My office has partnered with federal, state, and local law enforcement to maintain election security, enforce federal laws, and address credible threats swiftly," said U.S. Attorney Toepfer. "If you witness-or have direct knowledge of-suspected election fraud, voter intimidation, or unlawful voting activity, we strongly encourage you to report it immediately."

Key Enforcement Priorities for the 2026 Election:
• Protecting Voter Rights: Ensuring that all eligible voters can participate in early voting, mail-in voting, and Election Day voting free from discrimination, harassment, or unlawful coercion.
• Voter Eligibility and Enforcement: Monitoring compliance with federal laws regarding voter registration and eligibility.
• Combating Election Fraud: Investigating actionable allegations of ballot harvesting, voter impersonation, or intentional disruption of polling places and mail-in ballot processing.

AUSAs Dustin and Shepherd will be on duty in the Northern District of Ohio while the polls are open Tuesday, Nov. 3, to respond to complaints of voting rights concerns or fraudulent election activity. They will ensure that such complaints are directed to the appropriate authorities. For Northwestern Ohio, call EAUSA Dustin at 419-241-0767; for Northeastern Ohio, call AUSA Shepherd at 216-622-3859.

Complaints about possible violations of the federal voting rights laws may also be made directly to the Civil Rights Division in Washington at civilrights.justice.gov or by phone at 1-855-856-1247.

In the case of a crime of violence or intimidation, call 911 immediately and before contacting federal authorities as state and local police have primary jurisdiction over polling places.