Federal law enforcement officials on high alert for election day

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- Last week, in the midst of a historic early voting turnout in Harris County, Mustafaa Carroll's phone began ringing more than usual.

"We've been getting calls," said Carroll, executive director of The Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR) Houston. Carroll says members of the Muslim community have been contacting him all this week before the FBI has been calling them. "'The FBI called me they want to visit,' we get these all the time but we've seen a slew of them recently, like the last few days."

Carroll says FBI officials called him on Saturday to give him a "courtesy notice" that they are questioning members of the Muslim community ahead of Tuesday's elections. This follows similar reports in other parts of the country.

"I don't know how much of it is election related but it sounds like it."

Federal law enforcement have been on heightened alert since reports surfaced last week that Al Qaeda and other terrorism groups may try to attack certain U.S. cities before or during the elections.

Over the past few weeks, Harris County election officials have insisted that they are prepared against any security concerns. County Clerk Stan Stanart told Eyewitness News that his team has met with local law enforcement.

In the highest profile race in Harris County, the candidates don't agree on much. However, both District Attorney Devon Anderson and her challenger Kim Ogg say they have faith in the election process.

"I know whenever there is some kind of an alert, all of our law enforcement go on high alert, we'll be safe," said Anderson.

"Every polling place should be a place of vigilance, and any place that terrorism could be involved, we have to pay attention to that," said Ogg.

As for the local Muslim community, Carroll says they are used to getting calls from authorities. However, he is encouraging everyone, regardless of race or religion, to exercise their right to vote, and do so tomorrow.

"I think there's a lot of hoopla around the politics, and I think a group like Al Qaeda or ISIS would send a threat at this time because they know we're vulnerable."