By Roger Alford
The Associated Press

PIKEVILLE - Federal prosecutors are asking Kentucky residents to report any voting irregularities they see at the polls on election day.

U.S. Attorney Gregory Van Tatenhove said the Lexington and Louisville offices will be available for calls throughout the day on Tuesday.

"We want to be a resource to communities that see evidence of a problem," Van Tatenhove said. "This is a routine procedure for our office."

In the wake of FBI probes into local elections in eastern Kentucky, Van Tatenhove's call for vigilance could be seen as a warning to anyone who might try to buy votes.

The issue is fresh on the minds of people in the mountain region after Knott County Judge-Executive Donnie Newsome and one of his supporters were convicted earlier this month of election fraud.

Newsome is being held in the Fayette County Detention Center while he awaits sentencing. Willard Smith, a supporter, also is being held in the Lexington jail.

"Community leaders have come to us and said they want clean elections," Van Tatenhove said.

Van Tatenhove visited eastern Kentucky earlier in the week for media interviews about the election watch. He said he wanted simply to tell residents the government will help them in stamping out election irregularities.

Eastern Kentucky has had its share.

Newsome, who was convicted Oct. 1 of one count of conspiracy to buy votes and two counts of buying votes in the 1998 primary election, faces three to 15 years in prison. Smith, who was convicted of one count of conspiracy to buy votes and four counts of buying votes, faces five to 25 years.

Four others indicted in the Knott County probe pleaded guilty, admitting to paying voters $50 to vote in the primary election.

The phone numbers to report irregularities are (859) 233-2661, (502) 625-7042 or (502) 583-3941.