FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT:
Logan Churchwell
media@truethevote.org
HOUSTON, TX. October 2, 2012 ― True The Vote (TTV), the nonpartisan election integrity organization, today announces new research findings of voter fraud in Ohio, Florida, New York and Rhode Island. The Offices of Florida, Ohio and Rhode Island Secretaries of State, the New York State Board of Elections and the U.S. Department of Justice were formally notified of ballots cast simultaneously in both states for federal elections.
“Our initial belief that we had uncovered only the tip of the iceberg continues to be reinforced,” True The Vote President, Catherine Engelbrecht said. “Pew Research’s finding that 2.75 million Americans are registered to vote in more than one state continues to ring true. Unfortunately, we keep seeing more people possibly voting illegally. It’s important for voters to remember that no candidate or cause is worth a felony conviction. While some will no doubt commit the same fraud this year, we can find them in a matter of months. True The Vote calls on Florida, New York, Rhode Island, Ohio and federal officials to investigate and confirm our latest research.”
Ohio & Florida
Similar to last week’s findings of voters committing interstate absentee ballot fraud, True The Vote cross-referenced entire voter registration lists between Ohio and Florida and alerted appropriate authorities to voters with matching full names, birthdates, addresses and voting histories demonstrating ballots cast in multiple states in a single federal election.
True The Vote found more than 19,000 Ohio voters claiming Florida mailing addresses, according to state records. More than 6,390 people hold registrations in both states. True The Vote identified 534 individuals allegedly casting ballots in both Ohio and Florida. Today 34 cases were turned over to federal and state authorities.
“To his credit, Ohio Secretary of State Jon Husted has indicated he is taking steps to address the situation with respect to voter roll maintenance,” Engelbrecht said. “However, these findings are particularly troubling given Ohio’s wholesale approach to dispensing absentee ballots for all this year. This combination of poor voter roll maintenance, emerging evidence of interstate fraud and Ohio’s new policy of absentee voting for all could create a perfect storm. The last thing we want is a repeat of the 2000 Election – this time by mail.”
New York & Florida
True The Vote offers new findings of absentee voter fraud between New York and Florida. Citing a new sample of less than one (1) percent of upstate New York voters, TTV found 48,630 voters claiming Florida mailing addresses. Of that sample, more than 19,000 are registered to vote in both states. Today federal and state officials were alerted to 32 new cases of interstate fraud between the Empire and Sunshine States.
Rhode Island & Florida
True The Vote also reports instances of voter fraud between Rhode Island and Florida. After the comprehensive cross-reference process, TTV found 53 Rhode Island voters claimed Florida addresses. More than 15 are currently registered in both states, with two (2) having voted.
Federal and state laws were potentially violated as a result of these activities. Ohio, New York, Rhode Island and Florida each require voters to cast ballots corresponding with their permanent residential addresses. Federal law, specifically 42 U.S.C. § 1973i(e) clearly states that voters cannot cast more than one ballot in the same election.
True The Vote (TTV) a nonpartisan, nonprofit grassroots organization focused on preserving election integrity is operated by citizens for citizens, to inspire and equip volunteers for involvement at every stage of our electoral process. TTV empowers organizations and individuals across the nation to actively protect the rights of legitimate voters, regardless of their political party affiliation. For more information, please visit www.truethevote.org.
I worked in the polls during our September primary election. Most voters said THANK YOU for checking their identity. I personally know several people who have moved away from Rhode Island in the past few years but are still legally registered to vote here. I saw their names on the registered voter list. If we were Not checking identification, anyone could have said they were one of these people and voted in the Primary election. I am so glad we started checking IDs in Rhode Island.
Thank you for your diligence! It is appreciated.