MARYLAND BRIEFING

U.S. Agents to Watch Polls for Fraud, Abuse

U.S. Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein announced yesterday that a team of federal prosecutors and FBI agents will coordinate with the Maryland State Board of Elections to monitor polling places on Nov. 4 for fraud or voting rights abuses.

In a statement, Rosenstein said federal election crimes include forging and stealing ballots, paying or intimidating voters, placing fictitious names on voter registration rolls and providing false information in order to vote.

Allegations of ballot access problems and discrimination also can be reported directly to the Civil Rights Division's Voting Section in Washington at 800-253-3931 or 202-307-2767.

-- Lisa Rein

STATE GOVERNMENT

Computer Glitch Strikes Motor Vehicle Offices

Significant delays were reported in Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration offices across the state yesterday after a computer glitch occurred.

The problem lasted for several hours until early afternoon, a spokesman said. He could not say how many customers it affected.

-- Steve Hendrix