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By Richard Byrne Reilly
TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Thursday, October 28, 2004
Somebody is campaigning hard to confuse Allegheny County voters ahead of Election Day. At the Ross Park Mall, for example, people are distributing leaflets printed on bogus, but official-looking, county stationery telling Republicans to vote Tuesday, Nov. 2, and Democrats to wait a day.
The election will be over on Nov. 3.
The fliers have succeeded in spreading confusion, and county officials spent parts of Wednesday fielding phone calls from residents.
"We don't know who is behind it," said Elections Division Manager Mark Wolosik, who received a copy yesterday afternoon.
Wolosik's office referred the case to the county police, who have launched an investigation to determine who is behind the disinformation campaign. Officials say the fliers also turned up in mailboxes of homes in the North Hills.
The letter reads in part: "Due to the immense voter turnout that is expected on Tuesday November 2 the state of Pennsylvania has requested and extended the voting period ... Voters will be able to vote on both November 2 and November 3."
The letter is signed by "Anne Ryan," and a phone number on the flier rings in Tampa, Fla. Workers there reached by telephone denied any knowledge of the flier.
County officials say the flier is part of the political shenanigans that accompany a hotly contested presidential race.
Still, Wolosik said, "The matter is now a criminal investigation."
County investigators also have launched an investigation into a scam in which University of Pittsburgh and Community College of Allegheny County students believed they were signing petitions to legalize marijuana for medical use, only to find themselves registered as Republicans.
"I can't believe it happened to me," said CCAC student Denise Jones, a North Side Democrat who signed what she believed to be a legitimate petition and received a note from the Republican Party thanking her for switching her registration.
Jones said the man who signed her up said he was being paid $400 for every 200 signatures.
The U.S. Attorney's Office in Pittsburgh declined to comment on the cases and referred questions to county elections officials.
Students whose registrations were switched still are eligible to vote in the presidential and other elections Tuesday.
Tom Flaherty, Pittsburgh city controller and chairman of the county Democratic Committee, said he smells a political rat in the chicanery.
"I don't know who the perpetrator is," Flaherty said, "but I imagine some people will fall for it."
By Richard Byrne Reilly
TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Thursday, October 28, 2004
Somebody is campaigning hard to confuse Allegheny County voters ahead of Election Day. At the Ross Park Mall, for example, people are distributing leaflets printed on bogus, but official-looking, county stationery telling Republicans to vote Tuesday, Nov. 2, and Democrats to wait a day.
The election will be over on Nov. 3.
The fliers have succeeded in spreading confusion, and county officials spent parts of Wednesday fielding phone calls from residents.
"We don't know who is behind it," said Elections Division Manager Mark Wolosik, who received a copy yesterday afternoon.
Wolosik's office referred the case to the county police, who have launched an investigation to determine who is behind the disinformation campaign. Officials say the fliers also turned up in mailboxes of homes in the North Hills.
The letter reads in part: "Due to the immense voter turnout that is expected on Tuesday November 2 the state of Pennsylvania has requested and extended the voting period ... Voters will be able to vote on both November 2 and November 3."
The letter is signed by "Anne Ryan," and a phone number on the flier rings in Tampa, Fla. Workers there reached by telephone denied any knowledge of the flier.
County officials say the flier is part of the political shenanigans that accompany a hotly contested presidential race.
Still, Wolosik said, "The matter is now a criminal investigation."
County investigators also have launched an investigation into a scam in which University of Pittsburgh and Community College of Allegheny County students believed they were signing petitions to legalize marijuana for medical use, only to find themselves registered as Republicans.
"I can't believe it happened to me," said CCAC student Denise Jones, a North Side Democrat who signed what she believed to be a legitimate petition and received a note from the Republican Party thanking her for switching her registration.
Jones said the man who signed her up said he was being paid $400 for every 200 signatures.
The U.S. Attorney's Office in Pittsburgh declined to comment on the cases and referred questions to county elections officials.
Students whose registrations were switched still are eligible to vote in the presidential and other elections Tuesday.
Tom Flaherty, Pittsburgh city controller and chairman of the county Democratic Committee, said he smells a political rat in the chicanery.
"I don't know who the perpetrator is," Flaherty said, "but I imagine some people will fall for it."
Two comments. No. 1, if this flyer is being passed out, how do you differentiate between Republicans and Democrats when handing these leaflets out? Do they have two leaflets (one that's correct and one that's incorrect), ask the person's party affiliation and then give them the pertinent leaflet? Doesn't this seem a little inefficient?
No. 2, if you are stupid enough to believe a leaflet someone in the street hands you, you probably aren't competant enough to vote anyway.
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“So I became a newspaperman. I hated to do it but I couldn’t find honest employment.” —Mark Twain
I realize now that it reads strangely - sorry - should have stated that I was referring to fraud in general, not just this specific instance. We can't really start weighing the 'value' of individual votes (competence of voters) in order to decide how 'important' the fraud is.
Two comments. No. 1, if this flyer is being passed out, how do you differentiate between Republicans and Democrats when handing these leaflets out? Do they have two leaflets (one that's correct and one that's incorrect), ask the person's party affiliation and then give them the pertinent leaflet? Doesn't this seem a little inefficient?
No. 2, if you are stupid enough to believe a leaflet someone in the street hands you, you probably aren't competant enough to vote anyway.
1) The article states clearly in the beginning "...telling Republicans to vote Tuesday, Nov. 2, and Democrats to wait a day." It goes on to say election will be held Nov. 2nd and 3rd.
2) I agree with you in most cases, but in the case of senior citizens that is like saying; "if you are gullible enough to be a victim of fraud, than you don't deserve to have your money anyway."
Actions like this are not ok just because some may fall for it. I have read articles where black voters were told if they have outstanding parking tickets they would be arrested when they showed up to vote or people asking for signatures on college campuses to support legalization of marijuana actually were registration for the Republican party.
I am by no why saying this is only the work of GOP supporters. This type of thing goes on by both parties supporters. No matter who is behind it, peoples ignorance is not a ticket to violate others right to vote.
1) The article states clearly in the beginning "...telling Republicans to vote Tuesday, Nov. 2, and Democrats to wait a day." It goes on to say election will be held Nov. 2nd and 3rd.
2) I agree with you in most cases, but in the case of senior citizens that is like saying; "if you are gullible enough to be a victim of fraud, than you don't deserve to have your money anyway."
Actions like this are not ok just because some may fall for it. I have read articles where black voters were told if they have outstanding parking tickets they would be arrested when they showed up to vote or people asking for signatures on college campuses to support legalization of marijuana actually were registration for the Republican party.
I am by no why saying this is only the work of GOP supporters. This type of thing goes on by both parties supporters. No matter who is behind it, peoples ignorance is not a ticket to violate others right to vote.
I probably was a little harsh in my condemnation. You have a tendency to get jaded on this board due to some of the positions being taken, but I should not let it override my sense of justice.
Listening to talk radio, Republicans are complaining of intimidation in Florida by Kerry supporters while they are in line to vote.
Thankfully, things like this are isolated incidents and are not common to all areas of this country. This election is so decisive and has caused a great rift between opposing beliefs. All of this animosity started back during the Nixon years and seems to have progressed and gotten steadly worse. I sure hope we can reconcile our differences once this election has passed and get back to being one country again.
__________________
“So I became a newspaperman. I hated to do it but I couldn’t find honest employment.” —Mark Twain
I probably was a little harsh in my condemnation. You have a tendency to get jaded on this board due to some of the positions being taken, but I should not let it override my sense of justice.
I won't deny that I get jaded at times. I am a very passionate person and very much troubled by what I perceive this administration and it's followers stand for. I think you of all people will agree that I am not alone on this board when it comes to arguing my view with frustration in my tone at times.
You can admit that you too have a tendancy to do the same I hope, it's why we clash now and then. What it comes down to is we both care deeply about the state of our country, but disagree on what is best for it and who should lead us in that direction. Besides, we have an agreement to play nice and I have and still do intend to stick to it.
Quote:
Originally Posted by 40yearfan
Listening to talk radio, Republicans are complaining of intimidation in Florida by Kerry supporters while they are in line to vote.
Like I said, this has been going on by supporters for both sides. I don't think Kerry or Bush have anything to do with it myself.
Quote:
Originally Posted by 40yearfan
Thankfully, things like this are isolated incidents and are not common to all areas of this country. This election is so decisive and has caused a great rift between opposing beliefs. All of this animosity started back during the Nixon years and seems to have progressed and gotten steadly worse. I sure hope we can reconcile our differences once this election has passed and get back to being one country again.
I have no problem with anything going on as far as either side is concerned - as Jesse Ventura use to say after beating Chico Santana - "Win if you can. Lose if you must. But ALWAYS cheat!"
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