FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                          AG
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 31, 1996                         (202) 616-2777
                                               TDD (202) 514-1888

             STATEMENT BY ATTORNEY GENERAL JANET RENO

     Continuing a longstanding Justice Department tradition,
Attorney General Janet Reno today issued the following statement in
advance of next Tuesday's elections:

     "Next Tuesday, Americans will have the opportunity once again
to help shape the future of this nation by exercising their right
to vote.  It is a right that forms the foundation of our democratic
system of government.  It is especially precious for those millions
of Americans who have taken steps to register to vote since the
last elections for federal office.

     "At the Justice Department, we are committed to vigorously
enforcing federal election laws ensuring that the right to vote is
not subverted through intimidation, suppression, coercion or fraud.

     "Federal law protects against such crimes as intimidating or
bribing voters, fraud, altering vote tallies, and coercing the
votes of the poor, the elderly and the illiterate. It also prevents
people from denying the rights of minority voters.  Further, the
law protects the right of voters to mark their own ballot in
private or to be assisted by a person of their choice.  

     "As in the past, every United States Attorney across the
nation, working with the FBI, is establishing a special unit to
receive reports of corrupt voting practices and to investigate any
citizen's complaint that his or her voting rights have been
violated.  Anyone who sees evidence of election fraud should
contact the U.S. Attorney's office in their area or the FBI.

     "In addition, since the passage of the Voting Rights Act of
1965, the Justice Department has regularly sent observers around
the country to protect the rights of minority voters.  This year,
we will dispatch more than 300 federal observers to monitor polling
places across the country.  The counties to which they will be
assigned will be announced Monday, November 4."  
96-530                        # # #