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Over the past several weeks, OAG has been working around the clock to ensure voters in the District and nationwide can vote easily and safely in this election. This week, I led a 19-state coalition opposing a Texas order that drastically limits the number of absentee ballot drop-off sites, a move that could expose voters to COVID-19, suppress the vote, and disproportionately harm communities of color. Our office also recently led coalitions supporting access to mail-in ballots in Mississippi, South Carolina and Texas, and secured a preliminary injunction stopping U.S. Postal Service cuts that threatened the right to vote for millions of Americans planning to vote by mail during the pandemic. This follows efforts over the summer opposing unfair voting restrictions against returning citizens in Florida and North Carolina.

Unfortunately, we’re seeing continued attempts by the Trump administration to intentionally and unlawfully undermine the American people’s trust in a free and fair election process. Despite suggesting that his office could send law enforcement officials to conduct poll monitoring, there are District and federal laws to protect voters. Last week, our office published an Advisory on Poll Monitoring and Voter Intimidation. Learn more about your rights when casting a ballot and how our office is ready to enforce the law to stand up for voters.  

If someone interferes with your right to vote through threats, intimidation, or coercion, or you become aware of any interference with the right of D.C. residents to vote, please contact OAG at (202) 442-9828 or email us at consumer.protection@dc.gov. If you need immediate assistance, dial 911 or the Metropolitan Police Department.

Have no doubt: With my fellow state Attorneys General, we will fight to ensure that every voter is heard and every vote is counted. Read more resources and reminders in our D.C. Voter Checklist blog and make a plan to vote in the November election!

Karl A. Racine
Attorney General 

Celebrating Cure the Streets Community Champions and Logo Winners

OAG hosted a National Night Out virtual event last week to spotlight OAG's Cure the Streets (CTS) violence interruption program and other community champions who are working to stop gun violence in the District. We also unveiled the winners of our recent competition for local artists to design a new CTS logo. Check out a recording of the National Night Out event and a video of the new CTS logo and its designers.

Video: Protecting Tenant Rights

Due to COVID-19, millions nationwide are facing financial hardship and are worried about the looming threat of eviction. In the District, there are protections to help tenants, including a prohibition on evictions and eviction notices during the pandemic. Watch AG Racine’s recent tenant rights PSA video or read OAG’s tenant rights FAQs to learn more about your rights during the pandemic.

WIN: Capitol Drywall Inc. Fined for Wage Theft

This month, OAG secured a settlement requiring Capitol Drywall to pay a $200,000 penalty over allegations that its subcontractor misclassified more than 100 District workers as independent contractors, cheating them out of wages and benefits. When businesses misclassify workers, they commit wage theft and put their law-abiding competitors at a disadvantage. District residents can report wage theft to OAG by calling (202) 442-9828 and learn more about their worker rights.

ATTN: Washington Sports Club Members

Are you a Washington Sports Club member who tried to cancel your membership in March through June and still got charged in September or October? Were you a member of the downtown gym and had your membership transferred? OAG wants to hear from you by phone at (202) 442-9828 or by email at consumer.protection@dc.gov. In August, OAG sued Washington Sports Clubs’ (WSC) parent company for the second time for misleading District consumers about its membership policies. Last week, OAG secured a preliminary injunction preventing WSC from charging customers owed refunds until those refunds are applied.

ALERT: Pepco Scam

OAG has seen an increase in complaints about scammers calling DC residents claiming to be from Pepco and offering special COVID-19 discounts or demanding immediate payment. If you get this call, hang up and call Pepco at 202-833-7500 (Spanish: 202-872-4641). Learn more about this scam and what you can do to protect yourself in our Pepco blog. Residents can always report scams to OAG by calling (202) 442-9828, emailing Consumer.Protection@dc.gov, or submitting a complaint online.