PIERRE, S.D.(DRGNews)- The Assistant U.S. Attorney for South Dakota has been appointed to serve as the District Election Officer for the state, in connection with the federal Justice Department’s nationwide plan to address complaints on election day.

United States Attorney Alison Ramsdell said AUSA Ann Hoffman will be responsible for overseeing the District’s handling of complaints of voting rights infringement, threats of violence to election officials or staff and election fraud, in consultation with Justice Department Headquarters in Washington.

Ramsdell says every citizen must be able to vote without interference or discrimination and to have that vote counted in a fair and free election. Similarly, election officials and staff must be able to serve without being subject to unlawful threats of violence. She says the Department of Justice is committed to protecting the integrity of the election process and bringing to justice those who seek to corrupt it.