New York Attorney General Sends Cease-And-Desist Letter To Accused Voter Intimidators 

WASHINGTON, D.C. — On Thursday, Sept. 21, the New York attorney general’s office sent a cease-and-desist letter to the group NY Citizens Audit, which is accused of confronting voters at their homes while impersonating state election officials and falsely accusing people of committing voter fraud. 

The intimidation has been reported in 13 counties, so far: Albany, Chautauqua, Jefferson, Onondaga, Ontario, Orange, Putnam, Saratoga, Schenectady, Steuben, Suffolk, Warren, and Washington counties.

The letter orders the group to turn over internal records including communications with those engaged during door-to-door canvassing efforts as well as NY Citizens Audit’s training documents of the canvassers and states that the attorney general’s office “will use every tool at its disposal to protect New York voters.”

The letter also reiterates the gravity of the group’s activities, “These allegations, if true, could constitute unlawful voter deception under New York state law and unlawful voter intimidation under both state and federal law.” 

Citizen vigilantism has become more common since the 2020 election as politicians on the right encourage doubt in the electoral process by ascribing to and supporting unfounded claims of fraud. 

Read more about the New York incident here.

Read the cease-and-desist letter here.

Read more about the growing threat of Republican election vigilantes here.