Reuters - Suspicion of Voter Fraud in Georgia Counties
Suspicion of Voter Fraud in Georgia Counties
Reuters - Tues Nov. 2, 2008 1:23pm
With Voting Day barely half over, election officials are investigating possible voter fraud in Georgia counties. The result of the Senate run-off could determine whether the Democratic Party acquires a filibuster-proof majority in the U.S. Senate. Historically, run-off races experience very low voter turn-out in comparison to general elections. The candidates for the Senate seat, Saxby Chambliss (R) and Jim Martin (D) have been running GOTV campaigns. Both candidates have been using the support of top-ticket names: the Obama campaign has been sending out e-mails in support of Martin, and Sarah Palin stumped for Chambliss in parts of Georgia.
Today, it seems that the GOTV campaigns might have worked too well. Photographic evidence of possible voter fraud was brought to the attention of election officials just before noon.
"This is very disturbing," said Karen Handel, Secretary of State for Georgia from her Atlanta office by phone. "They say that everyone has the right to vote but that's just not true, nor should it be."
Measures have already been taken to increase voter scrutiny at selected precincts.
"This is a serious, but very limited problem," Handel said. "There's no need to complicate the voting process for everyone. It's only necessary to implement these measures where we have reason to suspect there will be more fraud."
Some precincts will now require two photo IDs, a search for police records, and completion of a short questionnaire. Votes already cast will be scrupulously recounted at least twice before results are released, Handel determined. "Just votes from those precincts, though," she said. "Those are the trouble precincts."
When asked how precincts would be deemed problematic or not, Handel paused before replying: "Well, it's obvious, isn't it? Just look at the picture. He's black."
Karen Handel is a member of the Republican party.
Reuters - Tues Nov. 2, 2008 1:23pm
With Voting Day barely half over, election officials are investigating possible voter fraud in Georgia counties. The result of the Senate run-off could determine whether the Democratic Party acquires a filibuster-proof majority in the U.S. Senate. Historically, run-off races experience very low voter turn-out in comparison to general elections. The candidates for the Senate seat, Saxby Chambliss (R) and Jim Martin (D) have been running GOTV campaigns. Both candidates have been using the support of top-ticket names: the Obama campaign has been sending out e-mails in support of Martin, and Sarah Palin stumped for Chambliss in parts of Georgia.
Today, it seems that the GOTV campaigns might have worked too well. Photographic evidence of possible voter fraud was brought to the attention of election officials just before noon.
"This is very disturbing," said Karen Handel, Secretary of State for Georgia from her Atlanta office by phone. "They say that everyone has the right to vote but that's just not true, nor should it be."
Measures have already been taken to increase voter scrutiny at selected precincts.
"This is a serious, but very limited problem," Handel said. "There's no need to complicate the voting process for everyone. It's only necessary to implement these measures where we have reason to suspect there will be more fraud."
Some precincts will now require two photo IDs, a search for police records, and completion of a short questionnaire. Votes already cast will be scrupulously recounted at least twice before results are released, Handel determined. "Just votes from those precincts, though," she said. "Those are the trouble precincts."
When asked how precincts would be deemed problematic or not, Handel paused before replying: "Well, it's obvious, isn't it? Just look at the picture. He's black."
Karen Handel is a member of the Republican party.