MEMPHIS, TN – Shelby County District Attorney Bill Gibbons, along with Mark Gwyn, director of the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI), announced Tuesday that the Voter Trust Task Force that was created in 2006 will be on stand by beginning Wednesday when early voting for the November general election gets underway in Tennessee. The Voter Trust Task Force will also be available on November 4 to investigate any incidents during the voting process identified by the Election Commission as potential criminal violations.
District Attorney Gibbons and Director Gwyn created the task force in 2006 following an investigation into alleged voter fraud in past elections and the criminal indictments resulting from the investigation.
The Task Force consists of prosecutors from the District Attorney’s White Collar Crime Unit who will be on call to the Election Commission to discuss and review any possible issues that arise at the polls. Agents with the TBI, who are also part of the Task Force, will be called upon to immediately investigate possible misconduct at any voting location in the Shelby County at the request of the District Attorney.
"This is simply a way for us to ensure the integrity of the election process. By creating the Voter Trust Task Force, it allows the D.A.’s Office and the TBI to instantly react and investigate matters that may come up during early voting and on election day,” said District Attorney Gibbons.
Voters in Shelby County who observe any potential problems at the polls during early voting or on November 4 should contact the Shelby County Election Commission at 901-545-4125. Election Commission officials will contact the D.A.’s Office if it appears any criminal conduct has occurred. If the situation warrants, the Task Force will investigate and notify the Commission of the results. |