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Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →If someone is threatening, blocking, or intimidating a voter at a polling place, call 911 first. For a non-emergency concern, notify the local election office or a poll worker, and report suspected voting-rights violations to the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) Civil Rights Division Voting Section at 1-800-253-3931 or through its online reporting form. Challenge rules vary by state and locality, so report what happened rather than trying to decide on the spot whether it was illegal.
Who should you contact?
Choose the route that matches the urgency and the kind of response needed. More than one route may be appropriate because election administrators, emergency responders, and federal authorities have different roles.
| Route | Best suited for | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| Local election office or poll worker | A challenge, disruption, or other concern at a voting location that needs an election-administration response | Can alert election administrators to the incident and its effect on voting. If the local contact is unclear, contact the state or territorial election office. |
| DOJ Civil Rights Division Voting Section | A suspected voting-rights violation, including intimidation or suppression | Accepts reports by phone at 1-800-253-3931 and through an online reporting form. |
| 911 and local police | Violence, a threat of violence, or intimidation at a polling place | Provides an emergency response. DOJ says to report to local police first in these situations, then contact DOJ after alerting law enforcement. |
| Local FBI office or U.S. Attorney’s Office | Possible election crime or suspected criminal activity | Federal election resources identify these as reporting options. Use official government contact pages to confirm the current contact route. |
What to do, step by step
- Deal with immediate danger first. If there is violence, a threat of violence, or intimidation at a polling place, call 911 and follow local law enforcement instructions. After alerting law enforcement, contact the DOJ Voting Section.
- Notify election officials promptly. Tell a poll worker or contact the local election office so administrators can respond to a problem at the site. If you cannot identify the local route, contact your state or territorial election office. For a concern about denial of voting rights, you can also report it to the DOJ Voting Section.
- Describe the incident factually. Give the date, time, and location; describe the words or conduct you saw or heard; identify the person’s role if you know it; and note any witnesses, whether a voter was delayed or prevented from voting, and what response followed. California’s Secretary of State asks for a description of intimidation, disruption, or an unauthorized challenge and whether and how the issue was resolved. These details can help explain what happened, but they are not a universal federal form or legal evidence rule.
- Keep relevant information safely. Make contemporaneous notes and retain relevant messages or documents. Do not put yourself or a voter at risk to collect material. Do not assume that recording inside a voting location is allowed; follow election officials’ instructions and applicable local rules.
- Use additional routes when appropriate. A process concern can go to election officials, a suspected federal civil-rights violation to DOJ, and an emergency to police. For possible criminal activity, consult the official contact pages for the local FBI office or U.S. Attorney’s Office.
How to tell a poll watcher from a challenger
The Election Assistance Commission distinguishes poll watchers, who observe election processes, from challengers. Some jurisdictions allow challenges to voter eligibility or ballot validity, but state and local law determines who may challenge, when, on what grounds, and how officials must handle a challenge.
An observer’s presence alone does not establish wrongdoing. If a challenge appears improper, or if someone’s conduct is interfering with voting, report the facts to election officials. The rules and the legal significance of a particular incident depend on the jurisdiction and circumstances.
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What conduct may amount to voter intimidation?
DOJ’s federal-law guide says federal law prohibits intimidation, threats, and coercion throughout the voting process. DOJ’s description of its voting-rights guidance includes threats, obstruction, and deliberately false information about the time, manner, or place of voting when intended to prevent participation.
This is general information, not a decision about a particular incident. Whether conduct violates a law depends on the facts and the applicable law; report what you observed and let the relevant officials assess it.
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California example: check state rules and current contacts
California’s Secretary of State issued guidance on September 27, 2024, addressing voter intimidation and prohibited voter challenges. It asked administrators to document the activity and its resolution, and directed Californians whose voting rights are denied to contact their county election official or the state hotline at 800-345-VOTE (8683). This is a California example, not a nationwide procedure. Check current state information before relying on its contacts or guidance.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Confirm contacts and procedures for your location
Election procedures and challenge rules differ among states and localities. Contact details and forms can change, so check the relevant official government pages, especially near an election. USAGov’s voting-rights reporting page was marked last updated February 25, 2026; the Election Assistance Commission poll-watcher page was dated December 23, 2025. These dates identify the cited pages, not a guarantee that every local procedure or phone number remains unchanged.
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