By Holly M. Rodriguez

State, local and federal officials said this week they will “act promptly and aggressively” to protect voters in Richmond and across the state from any intimidation or other attempts to block their right to vote in next Tuesday’s election.

The U.S. Department of Justice said district election officers — all assistant U.S. attorneys — will be on duty in Richmond, Alexandria and Newport News from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Election Day.

The FBI also will have special agents available in each field office throughout Virginia, including Richmond, to receive any complaints of violations of federal voting rights laws.

“Every citizen must be able to vote without interference or discrimination,” stated U.S. Attorney Dana J. Boente. “They need to have that vote counted without it being stolen because of fraud.

“The Department of Justice will act promptly and aggressively to protect the integrity of the election process.”

The heightened election protection efforts have been spurred by Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump, who repeatedly has called on his supporters to monitor polling precincts in cities of several key swing states. Richmond is one of the cities the Trump campaign has targeted.

His rhetoric has raised serious concerns among federal, state and local authorities and civil rights groups about the potential for voter intimidation and possible interference aimed at African-American and other minority voters.

In an Oct. 10 speech in Wilkes-Barre, Penn., Mr. Trump asked supporters in the rural community to monitor polls in Philadelphia, where African-Americans comprise 44 percent of the city’s population.

“I hear these horror shows, and we have to make sure this election is not stolen from us and taken away from us, and everybody knows what I’m talking about,” he said.

Earlier, in a speech in August in Akron, Ohio, he called for monitors to go to the polls to watch. “And when I say ‘watch,’ you know what I’m talking about, right? You know what I’m talking about,” he said.

The Republican National Committee is operating under a federal consent decree from 1982 that bans the political organization and its members from undertaking any ballot security activities in polling places or election districts in an effort to deter minority voters from casting ballots. They also are banned from hiring people to act as law enforcement personnel to monitor polls. The consent decree runs through December 2017.

The Democratic National Committee filed a lawsuit against the RNC in 1981 for using intimidation tactics to win a gubernatorial election in New Jersey. The RNC’s “National Ballot Security Force,” which included armed retired police officers and deputies, was hired to target voting precincts with large minority populations. The armed participants carried large warning signs and wore arm bands to intimidate minority voters and discourage them from participating in the election.

Richmond officials told the Free Press they are aware of potential problems and are prepared.

“The Richmond Police Department has always had Election Day protocols that we adhere to,” said Richmond Police Chief Alfred Durham. “We are prepared to address any situation that may present itself on Election Day.”

Richmond Voter Registrar Kirk Showalter said she has followed standard protocol in preparing for the presidential election, with one exception.

“I spoke with the chairman of the Richmond Republican Committee,” she said. “He assured me that anyone coming in would be vetted, and know their specific functions within the polling place.”

Campaigners must remain at least 40 feet away from any entrance to a polling place, according to Virginia election law. If the local electoral board allows campaigning within a polling place, those activities must take place at least 40 feet away from the room in which voting is occurring.

Commissioner Edgardo Cortés of the state Department of Elections said that his department and Ms. Showalter work closely with local law enforcement during every election.

“We also coordinate with the State Police, FBI and other federal offices as well,” he said.

He said any voter who feels intimidated or threatened or has other concerns about voting should notify the elections officer at their precinct.

The ACLU of Virginia and the NAACP also will be fielding calls on Election Day from voters who have questions or concerns about being denied access to vote or who encounter any problems at the polls.

“We are always concerned about any move to suppress voting,” said Bill Farrar, director of public policy and communications for the ACLU of Virginia. He said voters are encouraged to contact the ACLU if they have any difficulties.

The Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, a coalition of more than 100 organizations, launched an election protection initiative that also can assist voters on Election Day.

Hotlines staffed by legal volunteers and experts trained in local voting laws are available.

Staff writer Lauren Northington contributed to this report.