Fresno officials investigating elections complaint. Registrar of Voters expects more
The Fresno County District Attorney’s Office public integrity unit is investigating an elections-related complaint, and more investigations are likely coming soon, county elections chief James Kus reported.
Kus’ Registrar of Voters office has three additional investigations that are nearly ready for the district attorney to take over.
While the complaints and investigations are related to elections, Kus could not elaborate on details.
Elections staff also responded to a secondhand report of someone taking photos of voters at a drop box. However, when elections staff showed up, no one was there. Kus said his office also had one case of electioneering at the downtown elections office, but the person moved outside the protected area when asked.
Kus said his office received complaints from past elections, too. Plus, his office identified past issues through the normal, ongoing maintenance of the voter registration list.
“Both means have contributed to our current investigations,” Kus said. “All potential intimidation or fraud situations should be directed to my office or the DA’s public integrity unit as quickly as possible to facilitate investigation. Reports of issues from years ago are much harder to investigate and prosecute.”
Just last week, Fresno County’s Registrar of Voters, District Attorney and Sheriff offices issued a joint warning against voter fraud and intimidation ahead of Election Day on Nov. 8.
Anyone who witnesses voter fraud or intimidation should report it to the Registrar of Voters office by calling 559-600-8683 or by emailing clerk-elections@fresnocountyca.gov.