DA Rollins Launches Election Protection Efforts

“We will not tolerate any act of violence or intimidation– on Election Day or any day”

BOSTON, November, 2, 2020—District Attorney Rachael Rollins announced her Office’s plan to protect the rights of voters on Election Day, including the launch of a voter hotline.

“The right to vote without interference is central to the health and future of our democracy.  No matter who you are voting for, it’s important that you have the right to vote freely and safely and that your vote is counted.  My Office is here to ensure that this right is protected for everyone,” District Attorney Rollins said.

The Suffolk Voter Hotline, 617-619-HELP (4357), will be staffed by trained Civilian Investigators from Rollins’ office.  Hotline staff will be able to answer callers’ questions on voting rights and election access; if necessary, callers will be able to speak to an on-call Assistant District Attorney.  Help will be available in multiple languages, including Spanish, Arabic, Cape Verdean Creole, Mandarin, Hindi, Gujarati, Haitian Creole, Portuguese, and Vietnamese. The hotline is non-partisan; SCDAO staff will not discuss political matters, including the merits of ballot questions or candidates for office.

In addition to answering callers’ questions, Civilian Investigators will gather information from callers who believe that a criminal offense may have been committed. This information will be referred to an on-call Assistant District Attorney for further review and potential action. 

District Attorney Rollins’s Election Protection Team will be staffing the hotline from 6:30 a.m., a half-hour before the polls open, to 9:00p.m., an hour after the polls close.

Anyone who witnesses a crime in progress should call 911 before contacting the Suffolk Voter Hotline.

Voter intimidation can appear in many different forms, including efforts by private citizens, organized groups or others to verbally harass or physically confront voters, requests for unnecessary documents in order to cast a ballot, and other types of concerning behavior at and around polling locations.  In addition to potential charges under federal and state voter intimidation statutes, individuals may also be charged with other offenses if they are found to have violated Massachusetts law.  If private citizens or trained voting inspectors are concerned about any official election practices at the polls, they too can contact our hotline, but likely will be directed to the Secretary of State.

“This year’s election comes at a time of increased violence, racial tensions, and divisive and volatile rhetoric. Tensions are incredibly high.  Whether you are a Republican, a Democrat or an Unenrolled voter, this is the election of a lifetime,” District Attorney Rollins said.  “We will protect the voting process and the people of Suffolk County while they exercise this fundamental right.  Further, we will also be in contact with our State, Federal and Community partners throughout the day sharing information and assisting if there is a need.

“In Suffolk County, we do not tolerate acts of violence or intimidation – on Election Day or any day.  I want to assure the people of Suffolk County that their vote matters, and that we will protect the rights of every voter,” District Attorney Rollins said.

In addition to the Suffolk Voter Hotline, District Attorney Rollins is also sharing election protection resources on her office’s website, at https://www.suffolkdistrictattorney.com/vote.

Suffolk County District Attorney Rachael Rollins’ office serves the communities of Boston, Chelsea, Revere, and Winthrop, Mass. The office handles over 25,000 cases a year. More than 160 attorneys in the office practice in nine district and municipal courts, Suffolk Superior Court, the Massachusetts Appeals Court, the Supreme Judicial Court, and the Boston Juvenile Courts. The office employs some 300 people and offers a wide range of services and programs to serve anyone who comes in contact with the criminal justice system. This office is committed to educating the public about the services we provide, our commitment to crime prevention, and our dedication to keeping the residents of Suffolk County safe.