If you are in immediate danger, face violence or a threat, or see intimidation at a polling place, contact local law enforcement immediately; call 911 if the danger is imminent. For a non-emergency polling place problem, tell a poll worker or election official at the site, or contact your local election office. You can also report possible voting-rights violations to the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) Civil Rights Division.
Who do I call? Choose the route that fits the situation
More than one office may be appropriate: local officials handle on-site election operations, while federal agencies accept reports about possible civil-rights violations or election crimes. Use this guide for the United States; local procedures and contacts vary by jurisdiction.
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| Situation | First contact | Additional route |
|---|---|---|
| Imminent danger, violence, or a threat | Call 911 if danger is imminent; otherwise contact local law enforcement immediately. | Report possible voting-rights violations to DOJ. Suspected criminal activity may also be reported to the FBI or a local U.S. Attorney’s Office. |
| Non-emergency disruption or polling place problem | Poll worker or election official at the location, or your local election office. | Contact DOJ if the incident may involve intimidation, suppression, or another voting-rights violation. |
| Accessibility problem | Tell the on-site election official and contact your local election office. | Report a possible civil-rights violation to DOJ; the EAC lists ADA information contacts. |
| Suspected election crime | Contact local law enforcement if there is immediate danger or a threat. | FBI or local U.S. Attorney’s Office for election-crime complaints. |
What to do if you feel unsafe or see intimidation
- Get to safety first. If violence or a threat is occurring, contact local law enforcement immediately. Call 911 if you are in imminent danger. Do not put yourself at risk to collect evidence or confront the person.
- Notify election officials when it is safe. Tell a poll worker or election official at the site, or contact the relevant local election office. This is the direct route for an on-site disruption that needs an election-office response.
- Report a possible rights violation to DOJ. Use the Civil Rights Division’s online reporting option or call 800-253-3931. Local reporting and a DOJ report serve different purposes, so both may be appropriate.
- For suspected election crime, consider federal law-enforcement channels too. DOJ lists the FBI tip line at 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324) and its online tips site. DOJ also says election-crime complaints may be made to a local U.S. Attorney’s Office or FBI office. These channels do not replace an emergency call.
How to report an ordinary polling place problem
For issues such as a polling-place disruption or an operational problem that does not involve immediate danger, start with the election officials responsible for the location. Tell the poll worker or site election official what is happening; if needed, contact your state, local, or territorial election office. Find the appropriate office through the USAGov election-office directory or the EAC’s state and local election contacts. Follow local instructions because reporting procedures differ across jurisdictions.
What counts as possible voter intimidation?
DOJ’s April 2024 guide, Voter Intimidation Under Federal Law, explains that federal law prohibits intimidation, threats, and coercion throughout the voting process. It states: “Federal law prohibits intimidation, threats, and coercion throughout the voting process, including registering to vote, casting a ballot, and even at the stage of counting or tallying votes.” The guide also says protections extend to people who facilitate voting, including election officials and volunteers.
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The guide identifies knowingly false information about the time, place, or manner of voting, when intended to prevent people from voting properly, as illegal. It is public guidance, not a comprehensive list or a case-by-case legal determination. A state or local election office or qualified legal authority can address jurisdiction-specific definitions and procedures.
Not every question or interaction is necessarily intimidation. USAGov notes there is no law against asking someone how they are voting, but a voter does not have to share that information and has the right to cast a vote in private. Report conduct that makes you concerned without putting yourself in danger or trying to make a legal determination on the spot.
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Where to report an accessibility problem
Tell the on-site election official about an access barrier and contact the local election office so it can address the polling-place problem. DOJ lists lack of accessibility while voting as an example of a possible civil-rights violation, which can be reported through its Civil Rights Division. The EAC lists ADA information contacts at 800-514-0301 and TDD 800-514-0383.
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What information to share in a report
Prioritize safety and follow the receiving office’s instructions. When you can report safely, describe what happened and where, when it occurred, and what made you concerned. Share what you directly observed and distinguish it from what someone else told you. Do not delay an emergency call to gather details, record an incident, or find documentation.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Finding the right election office
Election administration is local, so there is no single non-emergency number for every polling place problem. DOJ directs voters to USA.gov for state election information; USAGov and the EAC also provide election-office contacts. Check the directory for your jurisdiction, especially if you are unsure which office handles the location.
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