(EAST ST. LOUIS, IL) — United States Attorney, Donald S. Boyce, announced Monday that Assistant United States Attorney (AUSA), Norman R. Smith, will lead the efforts of his Office in connection with the Justice Department’s nationwide Election Day Program for the upcoming November 8th general elections. AUSA Smith has been appointed to serve as the District Election Officer (DEO) for the Southern District of Illinois and in that capacity is responsible for overseeing the District’s handling of complaints of election fraud and voting rights abuses in consultation with Justice Department Headquarters in Washington. The Department of Justice has an important role in deterring election fraud and discrimination at the polls, and combating these violations whenever and wherever they occur. The Department’s long-standing Election Day Program furthers these goals, and also seeks to ensure public confidence in the integrity of the election process by providing local points of contact within the Department for the public to report possible election fraud and voting rights violations while the polls are open on Election Day. In order to respond to complaints of election fraud or voting rights abuses on November 8, 2016, and to ensure that such complaints are directed to the appropriate authorities, Boyce stated that AUSA/DEO Smith will be on duty in this District while the polls are open. He can be reached by the public at the following telephone numbers: (618) 628-3700, (618) 628-3743 or (618) 799-8775.