Colorado voter registration FRAUD caught on camera

[justiceischeap]

I'm duplicating this post so it gets more attention.

[silvershadow]

1. K&R

[yellerpup]

2. Kick!

Nice catch.

[lamp_shade]

3. Rec and nudge

[tomg]

4. K n R

Absolutely unbelievable. I love the woman getting it on camera. "That's all I need honeybunch" - hilarious. Actually, if, indeed, she was working for the county ( the person doing the registering seemed a little dim on who was employing her), this needs to get to Rachel Maddow and Cenk Uygur on Current.

[Fawke Em]

5. I think it needs to more viral than just a couple of liberal shows.

We all know this shit is going on. Joe and Jane Doe who get their news from the networks don't have a clue.

[lamp_shade]

9. just posted to my facebook... "I suspect the El Paso County Clerk will have a little some-

thing to say about this".

[INdemo]

18. They will find some lame excuse..

[southernyankeebelle]

19. Yep, one word: Denial

[intheflow]

80. I'm hoping the Justice Dept. has something to say about this. n/t

[heaven05]

183. technically challenged

how can this be sent to the justice department or can some DU'er do it?

[intheflow]

208. I assume you could google DOJ's web site

and find a "contact us" link. I'm sure the El Paso Cty. Democrats are on this, though.

[lakercub]

86. Wayne Williams (El Paso County Clerk and Recorder)

is the typical Colorado Springs rightie. He won't care about voter fraud. He and his predecessor (Bob Balink) are both highly active local republicans and just the type of people who have been running Colorado Springs for years. They all keep trading their offices around when they get term-limited so they never leave.

http://car.elpasoco.com/Pages/MeettheClerkandRecorder.aspx

[Zorra]

203. Yep. Here it is. And Democrats are on this.

She does make it very clear she does want to register Romney supporters."

"The statement made in this video is both unfortunate and inaccurate," said Clerk & Recorder Wayne Williams.

"My office does not and will not engage in partisan voter registration. It is the duty of the Clerk's office to ensure that elections are conducted in a fair and honest manner, this includes allowing any one to register to vote regardless of their political party affiliation."

9NEWS learned Sunday that the young woman is a volunteer for the Romney campaign. They say she was inexperienced and have since spoke with her.

"Even if you can ask preference questions," said El Paso County Democratic Party Executive Director Christy Lelait. "Which we would never dream of doing, the goal is to register people. You don't want anyone to feel like they're being screened out. She does make it very clear she does want to register Romney supporters."

on edit: Something really stinks. She had obviously been coached by the Romney campaign on deception methods. Inexperience was not the reason for her hesitation. She did made it clear that she wanted to register Romney supporters only, but that she would register non-republicans.

This is really greasy dirty.

[defacto7]

6. K&R

[Lifelong Protester]

7. A blatant Wow!

Props to the lady who recorded it.

[ingac70]

8. kick!

[DollarBillHines]

10. I wonder if the Obama camp can use this.

Wow, just wow.

Every Democratic candidate should use this.

It should be shown on the floor of the House and Senate.

[Iwillnevergiveup]

11. My gawd

what is this little girl - about 18? Obviously has no clue that she's being manipulated by some serious thugs. Makes one wonder where else this is going on.

[Voice for Peace]

33. that was my thought too, she doesn't seem devious, just a bit flustered

I think this story has some leggies

[japple]

51. Ditto the above responses. The young woman--"honeybunch" probably peed in her pants.

She doesn't seem to know what's going on, and the woman who was taping seemed a bit overbearing. The camera operator should have used a bit more finesse instead of scaring this young woman to death. She might even be working for a temp agency.

[Raster]

58. when "honeybunch" was asked her name, she said some to the effect of:

"...you don't need to know my *&^%$ name..."

"honeybunch" is a *&^%

hopefully she is breaking the law and will soon be slapped by law enforcement.

[Scootaloo]

82. No, she said her name

It was just beeped out by the person who made the video. I would presume to keep the girl from being flooded with phone calls, mail, and other odd stalking shit that can happen when personal info is found on youtube.

[MattBaggins]

160. All of which will be found out anyway by someone who recognizes her.

[Scootaloo]

206. yes, but if you know her already, there's nothing the video maker can do about it

Keeps other schmucks on the internet out of her hair, though... Which I think is a good thing, 'cause from her mannerisms, she honestly has no damn clue what she's gotten involved in here.

[MattBaggins]

213. I agree

I would have also redacted the part where she says her name to protect her, but unfortunately some one from her town will ID her in the comments.

[crim son]

152. I took it as a cussword too.

And my daughter who was politically active at eighteen would have known EXACTLY what she was doing in that girl's shoes. She got flustered because she feared getting caught.

[BlueStreak]

193. I don't think so. Kudos for to the person filming to protect the girl.

"Honeybunch" is not the criminal here. She is just a kid doing what she was told to do. She didn't even know it was wrong.

We need to know who employed and trained her.

[Scuba]

215. +1

[zonkers]

95. Someone used that girl to unknowingly commit a serious crime. Methinks this is a big deal.

[snooper2]

174. Oh the little twit just got busted...

Hopefully she'll figure out there's more to life than just being cute

[left coaster]

175. Yeah, I would get a little "overbearing"...

..if I was being confronted with this blatant attempt at election manipulation.. yep.


Besides, that misinformed young woman threw down the first bit of rude there, so your criticism of the woman who caught her is misplaced.

[JaneyVee]

12. Where do we send this for the appropriate attention?

[lamp_shade]

27. I just sent the video to the county clerk > >

http://car.elpasoco.com/Pages/default.aspx

[JaneyVee]

46. I'm doing it too. Let them know it getting attention.

[calimary]

75. How about to Rachel Maddow?

[JaneyVee]

61. I already sent it to his office.

[Coyotl]

168. Excellent. And don't listen to other bad advice either.

There has been a crime. Don't call the police.

[skeewee08]

13. K&R

[PCIntern]

14. Jesus...

No surprise but it is the equivalent of using kids to deliver illegal drugs.
Fuckers.

[PowerToThePeople]

15. cute girl

time for one of you single colorado progressives to step up. Show her a better way.

[ingac70]

38. Right after she leaves prison. n/t

[jsmirman]

16. Wow - like I say, when you are registering, you are working for the people

Registering voters should be a non-partisan activity:

HELP IN OHIO: http://www.democraticunderground.com/10021386468

HELP IN FLORIDA: http://www.democraticunderground.com/10021393854

Registering just happens to help our party, because the Republican strategy relies on less voters and less people voting.

[DirkGently]

17. Holy crap.

[Jumping John]

20. Meet the clerk of El Paso County Co:

Clerk & Recorder
Wayne W. Williams

Wayne Williams was elected El Paso County Clerk & Recorder in 2010 with 68% of the vote. Wayne previously served as special legal counsel for the Clerk & Recorder’s Office and as a member of the El Paso County Election Canvass Board. He is a graduate of the Clerk & Recorder’s Citizens' Academy.

As Clerk, Wayne Williams strives to work with the staff to provide excellent customer service in Motor Vehicle, Recording, Elections, and Clerk to the Board. In Elections, Wayne is committed to fair and accurate processes. He has testified before the legislature on election reform and continues to work to reform our election processes by requiring proof of citizenship to register to vote and photo identification in order to vote.

Politically, Wayne Williams is a past Chairman of the El Paso County Republican Party, where he oversaw the caucus and assembly election process for the County’s largest political party. For more than a decade he has played an active role in crafting bylaws to ensure fair elections.

http://car.elpasoco.com/Pages/MeettheClerkandRecorder.aspx

[randr]

21. He should look real fine in prison garb

[Canuckistanian]

56. Well, isn't that special...

The clerk is a "past" Chairman of the El Paso County Republican Party.

Nothing to see here, citizen. Move along.

[Politicalboi]

36. LOL!

I do feel a little sorry for her. She is just a kid who was probably TOLD to just register Repukes.

[progressivebydesign]

70. She sure lost her cute and sweet vibe at the end.

She reminds me of Romney and Ryan... cordial til they get called on something.

[12AngryBorneoWildmen]

156. Hope I never get a real life jury like the one that hanged 'GusFring' (great name, btw).

[bahrbearian]

204. I think only here on DU you will find such messed up juries,, Please don't alert on me.

[valerief]

170. If she's old enough to vote, she's old enough to know better. nt

[Cha]

23. K&R!!

[WHEN CRABS ROAR]

24. In a funny sort of way, I feel sorry for the woman,

she seems way out of her depth, as to what she's doing and who she is working for.
She might not be working for the county at all.

[usregimechange]

76. Agreed, if she IS working for the gov, the people above her are likely more to blame.

[Jane Eyre]

25. Craiglist job posting for people to "identify conservative and Republican voters" then register them

http://charlotte.craigslist.org/gov/3241565025.html

Voter Registration Coordinator (Charlotte)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: 2012-08-31, 12:52PM EDT
Reply to this post [e-mail] [Errors when replying to ads?]


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Support the GOP and get paid!

Are you interested in a job that will make a difference in the upcoming election? Do you have the drive to change American politics? Penmac Staffing Services has immediate openings for temporary workers as Voter Registration Coordinators for the upcoming election. Salary is $12 per hour with a flexible schedule; either part time or full time with Saturday hours required.

Responsibilities:
• Canvass a public area or event, which will be assigned to you, and identify conservative and Republican voters and ask them to register to vote.
• Great communication skills.
• Outgoing personality.
• Enthusiastic to be a part of one of the top campaigns in the nation and the biggest campaign in North Carolina.
Requirements:
• Must be 18 years of age,
• Must be willing to submit to a criminal background check
• Have your own transportation
• Have a cell phone.

Penmac is a Missouri corporation and proud to be employee-owned. We never charge job seekers a fee. Penmac is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

• Location: Charlotte
• Compensation: $12
• This is a part-time job.
•Principals only. Recruiters, please don't contact this job poster.
•Please, no phone calls about this job!
•Please do not contact job poster about other services, products or commercial interests.
PostingID: 3241565025

[PowerToThePeople]

26. flag it

[jsmirman]

28. Don't just flag it - REPORT IT TO YOUR LOCAL ELECTIONS OFFICIALS

and even report to the Obama campaign, who can push for it to be investigated.

[blaze]

35. Can someone snag a screen snap of the original Craig's List post? nt

[WCGreen]

60. There is nothing wrong with this....

Democrats do it all the time. When I was the treasurer of the party we always went out and registered people. I was always up front with who I was and we never once, at least with those who were working with me, how person would vote.

And that is where things get dicey. Did this person mark on the registration card a little d so that they would be shredded when they got back to the office? That would be a crime.

[jsmirman]

62. Read it again:

"Canvass a public area or event, which will be assigned to you, and identify conservative and Republican voters and ask them to register to vote."

THAT is illegal.

[wtmusic]

83. Not illegal.

CA elections code. 2158(2):

"Any citizen or organization that distributes voter registration cards designed pursuant to subdivision (a) of Section 2157 shall give a voter registration card to any elector requesting it, provided that the citizen or organization has a sufficient number of cards."

What the young lady in the video is doing is in a gray area. If the person taking video:

1) Requested a card but was refused; or
2) Was given a card but that card wasn't submitted, defaced, etc

that would constitute election fraud.

[spotbird]

97. The way she did it may skirt

laws that require universal registration. Years ago when I'd register voters as a partisan, I'd identify whose campaign I was working for, then offer to register the potential voter. If they were Republican and implied or said that I would't want to register them, I'd simply reply, "Hope Springs Eternal" and register the person if they were otherwise eligible.

Not even once did it occur to me to ask the person their political leanings before representing my own. This damn integrity thing screws me every time.

[wtmusic]

102. I agree with you the way the girl is doing it is not ethical

because there's an element of intimidation - although it's a fine line.

[jsmirman]

116. First off, what you posted is non-responsive to the issue

being discussed - which is pre-polling and then registering.

It does not deal with a third scenario:

3) Asking who someone is supporting and then only attempting to register them if the answer is what one is looking for.

Which may or may not be illegal, but at a minimum is something that I find highly unethical and would never do while registering voters.

But most importantly, you've posted California code. This did not take place in California. Election law varies from state to state.

[wtmusic]

121. The law is less strict in Colorado

All it says is you have to deliver all voter registrations. You can hand them out to whomever you want to (unless you're working for a government agency, I don't believe that's the case here despite what the girl alludes to).

&quot 3) (a) A voter registration drive organizer that willfully fails to deliver a voter registration application to the proper county clerk and recorder within the time prescribed by section 1-2-702 (2) shall be punished by a fine not to exceed fifty dollars for each business day of violation."

http://www.sos.state.co.us/pubs/elections/VoterRegDrive/VRDhome.html

[jsmirman]

126. The information posted by the Colorado SOS

is very light on reference to conduct - it's surprising that there aren't more guidelines for appropriate conduct.

The guidelines do, however, mention "intimidation," which polling prior to attempting to register could constitute - particularly in the absence of... real, useful guidelines regarding conduct.

For interpretations of the meaning of that word, you would have to look at Colorado election law cases, because the statute gives you so little to go on.

[wtmusic]

135. Intimidation

"§ 1-13-713. Intimidation

It is unlawful for any person directly or indirectly, by himself or by any other person in his behalf, to impede, prevent, or otherwise interfere with the free exercise of the elective franchise of any elector or to compel, induce, or prevail upon any elector either to give or refrain from giving his vote at any election provided by law or to give or refrain from giving his vote for any particular person or measure at any such election. Each such offense is a misdemeanor, and, upon conviction thereof, the offender shall be punished as provided in section 1-13-111. "

There could be some case law on this but it doesn't appear to have been tested in regard to VRDs.

Now I know more about Colorado voter registration drives than I ever wanted to know, but check out this resource not just on Colorado but all of the swing states - very informative

http://www.brennancenter.org/blog/category/voting_rights_elections

[jsmirman]

137. Thanks for the link

and for posting the Intimidation part of the code.

I suspect that you can see the miles of gray area in there that I can see that could apply to her activities. There are a lot of words out there that - unless they've been shut down by case law - are prime candidates for, at minimum, attempted application.

What I think we both agree about it that:

1) It's unethical to run a VRD that matches polling with registering voters; frankly, it's unethical to run a VRD as anything other than a non-partisan activity (I was absolutely willing to tell people I worked for the Obama campaign when I was out registering and they asked "who are you working for," because I wanted to be honest, and I would also make clear that in this function, however, I was engaged in something non-partisan) and

2) You probably don't want to blur the lines as closely as this young woman was doing, and expose yourself to an area of the law that may be undefined, and correspondingly, apt to produce results you might not expect.

[wtmusic]

142. Absolutely - and why aren't these parts of election code not federal statutes

if they pertain directly to federal elections(?)

It would be great to see Obama open up a can of socialist whoop-ass and take on election reform in his second term.

[jsmirman]

145. I don't know - states always have control over their electorate

(within reason - there are federal laws they can't violate)

but outside of that, I think it's related to them having a say in "their" electoral votes - they always get to decide stuff like whether ex-felons can vote, what are the guidelines to get on the ballot, etc.

It would be interesting if it changed, and probably a lot more straightforward, but it's hard to see it happening.

Some of the things states do according to their own preference, I suppose I don't mind, but even honest stuff can lead into massive calamities, like the states that don't enforce a large enough buffer zone around polling places that campaigns cannot penetrate...

[wtmusic]

176. Ah, the electoral college...the swollen appendix of American politics.

Let's get rid of it. In 2012 all it accomplishes is to bend justice toward the state's prevailing political party.

Any laws which are necessary to ensure fairness in elections should be made and enforced by the feds.

[jsmirman]

179. What I wouldn't give to get rid of the electoral college

As a New Yorker, I think I'll probably spend my entire life never casting a vote in a presidential election that matters. That just sucks.

[progressivebydesign]

67. No. They don't. It's illegal. You cannot only register one group of voters.

You can't ask someone who they're voting for and ONLY register the ones you want.

[SickOfTheOnePct]

106. The activity described in the Craig's List ad is not illegal

It would be illegal if they refused to register anyone that asked, but it wouldn't be illegal for them to only ask certain people. It would also be illegal if they approached someone, the person said they were a Democrat, and then they refused to register them.

A person sitting at a table with a sign that says "Register to Vote Here" can't refuse anyone. Someone wandering through a crowd with voter registration materials can certainly only approach certain people. They cross the line into illegality if someone approaches them and they refuse to register them.

[Jane Eyre]

68. Key phrase

Canvass a public area or event, which will be assigned to you, and identify conservative and Republican voters and ask them to register to vote.

You can go to areas where you believe you will be more likely to get voters who will support your candidate. You can even decide who to approach while you are soliciting voter registrations. But you cannot verbally pre-screen potential voters and only register those who agree with you. So if you approach someone or someone approaches you, and that person wants to register to vote, you must register that person and make sure that the voter registration card is properly submitted to the board of elections office.

The job description in the ad indicates that employees are expected to identify conservative voters and ask them to register to vote. If "identifying voters" simply means going to an event expected to attract conservatives, then you're within the law. But if identifying voters means asking people who they will be voting for before you will register them, then that is not in compliance with the law.

And I should add that the job posting indicates that the venues will be assigned to the employee, so it appears that the actual identification of potential voters is left up to the employee. I would like to know what instructions are given to employees. For example are they instructed to approach everyone regardless of race?

[WCGreen]

74. We shall see...

I would like to see what part of the code prohibits a party person to identify and then register the people that they singled out.

[SickOfTheOnePct]

122. Exactly

Depending on the state, you would have to ask what party they wanted to register under, and refusing to register one party or the other would be illegal at that point.

[Rainngirl]

200. Not at my democratic headquarters

I went out to register people and we were told very emphatically to NOT suggest a party or ask which way people were planning on voting. I suspected that no one would take me for a republican in my Birkenstocks and tie-dye, but I kept it nonpartisan anyway.

[KathieG]

29. Holy sh*t!!! I just posted this to my facebook...needs to go viral.

[Spitfire of ATJ]

30. A few years ago they had people outside my local market registering people,...

...and they had the box for "Republican" already checked off.

The more people they can register as Republican the more power they have in the State Legislature because they can cite their numbers as evidence the public supports them and their ideas.

Bastards.

[judesedit]

31. The poor kid is probably part of the new Koch brothers registration drive and they're paying her but

told her to say she is working for the county clerk...or they lied to her and told her she was working for the county clerk. Poor kid is pretty confused if she's supporting Rob-me. Just like Rick Scott in Florida..she doesn't know it, but she'll be paid with an American Express card. A sucker is born every day.

[KurtNYC]

191. Someone down thread spotted a Mormon CTR ring on her hand

makes sense.

I loved her response to "who's paying you?" --"Um, err, uh...."

[Sarah Ibarruri]

199. I noticed she had no clue who was paying her. LOL! A senior moment at her age???? nt

[Hawaii Hiker]

32. Wow - This clip should be sent to Colorado news stations

as well as every show on MSNBC...

[PowerToThePeople]

34. this is not an angry old white man

who knows better. She is probably just out of high school. I do not agree with an internet dump of this. Just forward to authorities.

[Jane Eyre]

37. See my post regarding Craigslist job posting

The job description posted on Craiglist in Charlotte, NC states that employees are supposed to be identifying conservative and Republican voters before registering them to vote. The young lady is not at fault, she was doing exactly what her job description required.

North Carolina law requires voter registration to be non-partisan. Even though partisan organizations may register voters, you are required by law to properly register anyone eligible to register regardless of party affiliation.

[RBInMaine]

40. WRONG ! If she is old enough to do this she AND those having her do it ALL need to be OUTED NOW !

MAKE IT GO VIRAL.

[Jane Eyre]

50. Go after the real issue

She is doing the job as she has been instructed to do it. The real culprit is the Republican affiliated group who gave her instructions which violate the law.

[japple]

52. I'm wondering if she might just be a young member of LDS??????

[siligut]

104. Me too

It is not as if this is something they wouldn't do.

[jsmirman]

117. She is definitely LDS

as a poster on youtube correctly pointed out, she is wearing one of those infinitely ironic "Choose the Right (CTR)" rings.

[Zorra]

131. That's really interesting, thanks. nt

[jsmirman]

139. No problem - every now and then there actually

is something interesting in the comments under a youtube video!

[SemperEadem]

150. kind of like the prostitute and the pimp

she's doing the job as she has been instructed to do, but they'll haul her butt into jail long before they'll haul her pimp into jail.

this chick is low hanging fruit and the ones who need to be snagged most likely won't be, but as they say, "ignorance of the law is no excuse".

[tkmorris]

79. In one sense I agree with you, BUT...

If this thing doesn't go viral absolutely nothing will be done about it. It takes the weight of the entire nation looking at them and demanding justice to make it happen. That young lady should sue the pants off of whoever sent her out there with those instructions, assuming they didn't tell her it was illegal.

[RBInMaine]

39. GET THIS TO THE STATE DEMS AND TO LOCAL TV AND TO COUNTY & STATE OFFICIALS NOW !!

[proReality]

41. K&R n/t

[goclark]

45. Keep Kicked and get to Rachael andCompany asap

thanks!

[life long demo]

42. Good grief

I just sent the video to my rep in Washington asking her to forward it to a democratic colorado rep. Also sending it to PA Democratic committee, forewarned is forearmed.

[lamp_shade]

43. From the Colorado Springs Gazette

http://www.gazette.com/articles/voter-144994-youtube-registration.html

[madamesilverspurs]

92. Responses are interesting.

Like the first one. Not quoting exactly, but along the lines of "So that's how republicans know about voter fraud, they're the ones doing it."


-

[drm604]

110. That article quotes the county clerk as saying that the registration activity shown is legal.

Is that true? Can you ask who someone is going to vote for before registering them? I'm skeptical of that.

[progree]

138. I don't read it that way, but maybe its wishful thinking on my part:

[font color=blue]That article quotes the county clerk as saying that the registration activity shown is legal.[/font]

Here's the appropriate segment of the article from http://www.gazette.com/articles/voter-144994-youtube-registration.html

Williams {{the County Clerk and Recorder}} said the woman, though, doesn’t work for his office, which oversees local elections and voter registration. Instead, he said, she’s probably one of the scores of volunteers who are hitting the streets for both political parties to push voter registration ahead of the Nov. 6 election. The last day for register to vote for the election is Oct. 9.

“The voter registration drives that the Romney and the Obama campaigns are both doing are not run by our office,” Williams said.

The efforts are legal, Williams said.

The confusion, for volunteers and would-be voters, is that while parties are pushing for the registrations, the paperwork that’s filled out winds up in the Clerk’s Office to be certified, Williams said.

Now what may be wishful thinking on my part, but I'm hoping he's saying that it is legal for campaigns to do voter registration drives.

I hope he's NOT saying or meaning that what was depicted on the tape - asking voters if they are voting for Romney or Obama - and then presumably afterwards (not shown in the tape), either simply refusing to register someone who answers "Obama", or worse, having them fill out the registration form and then, umm losing it, are illegal.

[drm604]

192. I think you're right.

Looking at it again, I'm not sure what I was thinking last night. He was saying that voter registration efforts are legal. He wasn't necessarily referring to this particular incident.

[mwooldri]

44. I think similar thing is happening in Greensboro, NC though.

Last week, we were approached in a strip-mall by someone taking numbers for a "survey". He did not identify himself as working for any branch of the government, or identified as being part of any political campaign. We could see under his "survey sheet" there were voter registration forms. My better half identified herself as supporting Obama. Conversation turned cold with her at that point. However... I said "I'm not legally able to vote, but I support the Obama campaign." I guess he heard "not legally able to vote" and thought I said that I had not "registered to vote" so I was asked to! Told him again "no" because as a Permanent Resident, I cannot legally vote. I think he got it on the second time when I reinforced with the fact that I do support the Obama campaign (only a few $ tho). Looked and smelled like a Romney registration drive, and the guy seemed more focused on registering voters that are more likely to vote for the Republican Party candidate.

[im1013]

48. K&R!!

[emeraldclouds7]

49. Scary

Just think of someone not asking questions like the lady that posted this video. And that person fills out the registration cardin order to vote. And that card never come in the mail, because more than likely a person like the young girl in this video threw it out in the trash. These people as desperate, but in reality they are fanatics, willing to do anything. And they claim to have American values.

@emeraldclouds7

[NoMoreWarNow]

153. exactly-- I bet Dem registrations go in the trash. This is terrible.

fucking scumbag Rethugs.

[WCGreen]

54. Democrats sponsor registration drives all the time...

MrsWCGreen and I would register people at the county fair. We never once asked who they were voting for. We just collected the forms and turned them all in when the fair was over.

What makes me think something wrong is going on here is that she is only turning in the GOP registration cards and losing the Democrats who signed in.


Why else would you ask someone who they are voting for.

[madamesilverspurs]

81. We take care with registration forms and processes.

Especially since our secretary of state, Scott Gessler, enjoys penalizing those groups who don't happen to be republican (check Rachel Maddow's archives on him).

When we do voter registration, each form is assigned a number. The person doing the registration signs for a batch of forms and is then responsible for those forms. Any unused forms are returned and the assigned numbers are checked. The forms never leave the possession of the person doing the registration; the applicant completes the form and receives a copy of it, the original is submitted to the state. The group or organization doing the registrations is answerable for every form, and significant fines and penalties apply if forms go missing. Discarding registration forms would be very, very expensive.

-

[PotatoChip]

209. Having numbered batches like that is actually

a very good idea. That way, as long as the registration form batches are all accounted for, and in numerical order, there could be no speculating that the volunteer/paid worker either accidentally (or on purpose) "lost" some of them. And if someone were dumb enough to try it, they'd easily be caught.

Is that something you guys do on your own (to protect your forms from partisan R accusations), or is it required by law for everyone registering voters in your state? I'm assuming the latter... and if that is the case, I wonder how many other states do this?

So if other states use this sort of numbering system, in this case Colorado, I can see all the more reason why R's would "encourage" this young lady to do her best to have her batch disproportionately full of R registrants. Thus necessitating her question beforehand as seen in the video.

With this in mind, it'd be interesting to see what would have happened if the woman who made the video had actually played along by saying "No, I'm voting for Obama, but would like to fill out one of your forms anyway, since I see that you are doing registrations". Would the young woman then discourage her from registering, or even outright refuse to give her the form to fill out? I think THAT would be an even better Gotcha-on-video moment! I'm quite certain that in this hypothetical scenario, it'd be illegal.

Nonetheless, this video is pretty damning as-is. I don't know if what we saw is illegal or not, but it is clearly unethical. I hope it gets a lot of exposure.

[The Wielding Truth]

85. Yep. She is trying to register only one Romney voters. Illegal? I'd say!

County office is in trouble.

[bkkyosemite]

55. It's now on my Facebook Page

in capital letters.....so I have 150 friends and my friends friends can see this so this is how it will go viral ...we must put this on every community we belong to..this must be stopped... frauding the vote will only be stopped if we stop it by spreading the word far and wide and of course letting Ed or Racheal know .

[emeraldclouds7]

57. I just hope....

someone in their staff takes the time to see this. Vote suppression comes in many forms.

[sabrina 1]

59. That's pretty blatant. I feel a little sorry for her, she is obviously being taught that this

is okay. The real culprits need to be found and if they are working for the county fired. And then find out who is paying for this.

Those responsible should face dire consequences, this is the foundation of democracy they are messing with.

They CANNOT win on issues, so they have to resort every time to these dirty tricks. And yet we are constantly told, even here on DU, that the country is 'conservative'. BS, it is NOT and that is why they spend a fortune stealing every election every time there is one.

[Zorra]

144. I have been told by ex-Mormons that they are taught that it is OK to lie to non-Mormons

Last edited Mon Sep 24, 2012, 12:13 PM - Edit history (1)

if the lies are in service to the Mormon Church.

So I just researched this, and this is some of what I found:

A Matter Of Conscience And Truth: Are Mormons Allowed To Lie?

"Mormons don't believe in lying, right?" Angela, without any hesitation in her voice or change in her expression said, "It's okay to lie, as long as it's not to another Mormon."

Lying for the Lord

Does Mormonism Encourage LDS People to Lie?

A direct descendant of Brigham Young, Sue Emmett left the church because of the very values she says would make Romney a frightening president. She speaks exclusively with Jamie Reno.

Lying for the Lord

...For the Mormon, loyalty and the welfare of the church are more important than the principle of honesty, and plausible denials and deception by omission are warranted by an opportunity to have the Mormon organization seen in the best possible light. This is part of the larger package of things that lead many to describe Mormonism as a cult. "Lying for the lord" is part of Mormonism's larger deceptive mainstreaming tactics, and conversion numbers would drastically lower if important Mormon beliefs were fully disclosed to investigators.

I feel sorry for her too, and am pretty sure the poor kid is a Mormon, for several different reasons, but the main reason is the way she acts, and reacts, in the course of the conversation. It has also been suggested in this thread that she is wearing the "Choose The Right" ring,

which is generally only worn by members of the LDS Religous Industrial Complex.

[12AngryBorneoWildmen]

159. You Got It!

I've been promoting a Google search of Lying for the Lord, for a long time. I lived in SLC for 10 years as a cab driver and witnessed a lot. IT IS A CULT!!

[jsmirman]

164. Maybe the girl IS connected to Wayne Williams, County Clerk

Wayne Williams is the guy denying there is any connection to his office. Wayne Williams is also a prominent local Mormon, I've discovered.

Look at this:

Kevin Woodward, a local Mormon leader, says there are roughly 16,000 LDS members locally. Among them are city Chief of Economic Vitality and Innovation Steve Cox, homebuilder and one-time mayoral candidate Brian Bahr, Monument Police Chief Jacob Shirk, and El Paso County Clerk and Recorder Wayne Williams.

http://www.csindy.com/coloradosprings/latter-day-candidate/Content?oid=2442686

With her wearing that "Choose the Right" ring, Wayne Williams being one of the higher ranking local LDS elected officials...

It doesn't take too wild a theory to imagine that she may have been recruited through some form of Mormon-related connection.

Maybe that's why she answered that she was working for the County Clerk's office and maybe there wasn't any confusion on her part as to that answer.

[justiceischeap]

177. Nice catch! nt

[jsmirman]

178. I'd really like to see people look into this

when I found that, I suddenly started seeing Wayne Williams in a whole different light.

Wayne Williams - or someone claiming to be him, but doing so very, very plausibly - was immediately posting youtube comments denying any link.

Now I wonder if he actually does have something to hide here.

[justiceischeap]

180. It's definitely an interesting link that should be further investigated

but who the heck is going to investigate it and, except for us and other democrats, who's going to care? Sad attitude, I know, but it is the way it is.

[cali]

217. exactly. it's clear to me that she's clueless

who's behind it is the question.

[fun n serious]

63. k&R

[Berlum]

64. Freaking Republicans are in a pact with Satan

or something.

Gawd almighty, how they cheat and lie.

America's greatest enemy is this kind of Republican election criminality.

[Quixote1818]

65. Check this out from 2008 also in El Paso County (Colorado Springs)

Focus on the Family has a lot of power in Colorado Springs

[nc4bo]

71. Why does America hate America?

This is absolutely despicable. FFS it should be as easy to register to vote and cast your vote as it is to go to the supermarket and pick up a loaf of bread.

Seeing things like this 1) make me physically sick, 2) cause me feelings of overwhelming depression and 3) make me want to scratch someone's eyes out.

Looking at those faces, I'm not alone.

[tblue37]

99. We absolutely *have* to overwhelm them with a tidal wave

of votes, so that no matter what they do, they can’t steal it.

[treestar]

66. Wow. Wonder if anyone tried to register as a Democrat.

Would she tell them no?

[modem77]

69. I wonder what sort of chickenshit rethug put her up to this.

Sad that they have to send kids out to do their dirty work.

[Plucketeer]

78. It's good duty

At least THESE kids don't have to go do the wealthy's work in Iraq and Afghanistan. They recruit mostly kids to go do that dirty work as well.

[rrp3]

72. NNNNNOOOOO...

Is it any wonder this is a Rep. They are the champs of do as I say not as I do.

[usregimechange]

73. I wonder if she really was working for the county, has anyone confirmed this?

[DemKittyNC]

77. That is really messed up!

I just had a quick question and I apologize if it sounds dumb but I am new to the voting process and you can't learn anything if you don't ask so here it goes. If a person is registered say republican but they vote a democratic ticket - just because they are registered as republican that isn't used in anyway to assist the vote count towards the republicans favor? I guess what I mean do they sometimes just take into account X-amount more republicans than Democrats turned out to vote so republicans automatically win that district? Despite the fact that maybe half of those registered republicans voted a democratic ticket.

I am not good at wording questions sometimes I hope you all understand what I am asking... lol

[tblue37]

84. No. Your registration serves a few purposes, though. It

determines which (if any) primary you get to vote in, except in states with open primaries. Also, if you are registered R or D, you'll probably get extra campaign lit from the party that thinks it can get your vote.

After the election, the pundits and analysts will create all sorts of (usually fairly silly) analytical narratives about who voted for whom and why. They will say things like, "In a heavily Republican district, Obama managed to get an unusually high number of votes, suggesting that he received a lot of cross-over votes from Republicans," or "It's no surprise that this district went so heavily for Romney, since registered Republicans outnumber registered Democrats in this district almost two to one."

How your vote is counted is not determined by your official registration (and of course, you can choose to not register as belonging to any party, but rather as an independent).

The only thing that might interfere with having the votes you cast counted for the candidates you cast them for is the pevalence of hackable electronic voting machines and the cheating Republican Secretaries of Stae and election officials in Republican controlled states.

Oh, and when they try to suppress the vote with various underhanded tactics, they go after those groups who are most likely to vote for a Democrat, but they make those choices on the basis of large registration numbers, not on the basis of your single Democratic registration.

[DemKittyNC]

120. Thank you

@jsmirman and @tblue37

I was thinking the same thing but didn't know if there was more to it or not but I understand now. Thank you for taking the time and educating me. It is greatly appreciated! When I went to register to vote I actually started to mark down unaffiliated party because I was afraid that poll workers might be corrupt and see I was Democrat so they would know to either change whatever I voted for or delete my vote entirely. At the last minute I just decided I was being to paranoid and marked down Democrat. I am proud to be one and didn't want to look like I was hiding it.

It is such a shame that in this country a person has to be so paranoid as not to be able to trust the voting system to be sure whoever she or he voted for is actually going to be for who they voted for. All thanks to the damn GOP!

[jsmirman]

127. Yep, tblue beat me to the punch

didn't mean to be duplicative, but I hadn't seen the other post yet when I answered.

[DemKittyNC]

129. No problem at all :)

I very much appreciated the answer. Thank you so very much!

[jsmirman]

140. Glad to help - and just so you know

I most certainly got this question from many people when I was out registering voters last election, so you are far from alone in wondering about this.

[jsmirman]

87. No. Your vote is your vote.

Whoever you vote for gets your vote.

The party affiliation you indicate is used only for non-election statistical purposes, and in certain states to determine which primaries you are allowed to participate in.

But your registered party affiliation has nothing to do with the votes you cast on election day. The names you select and the boxes you check off or levers you pull, etc. - these represent your vote.

[jimlup]

88. They are quite desperate and it will get worse...

[ailsagirl]

89. How did the lady who taped this know to record it?

I mean, she had her cell phone out and taping before she met the "romney fraudster."

Just wondered.

[tblue37]

91. At the store she saw a person registering voters and obviously either knew

or suspected she was looking to register only Romney voters, but claiming to be from the County Clerk's office. She therefore got prepared.

[ailsagirl]

96. Gotcha. Thanks

Smart woman

[justiceischeap]

98. Seems to me she was registering someone to vote when the woman came into the store

and she saw that she was doing a "survey" at some point--I think the woman shooting the video is an informed voter and saw something hinky going on.

[joshcryer]

109. Usually they approach you before you go into the store.

She was probably asked about it before she started recording and then decided to go back.

[marlakay]

133. I have got hit on my way out

It was at Walmart and was for signing to vote no on gay marriage. I said I see no problem with it and she called my husband names and I thought he was going to blow sky high so I dragged him to the car.

Called manager to complain. He said they don't pick sides and can't control what they say.

I said I had better see people from other side next time...

[progree]

143. The filmer replies to Honey's first question, "I thought you were registering voters a minute ago"

The camera is going well before she arrives at the table. When she arrives at the table, Honey Bunch asks "Do you vote for Romney or Obama"? The filmer replies, "I thought you were registering voters a minute ago",

I listened to the tape several times. The Honey Bunch question was strange "Do you vote for Romney or Obama"? but that's what I heard.

Anyway the point is that filmer either had contact with her previously, or talked to someone who had contact with her previously, anyway the filmer was prepared.

[obxhead]

90. Pin this top the top!

K&R

[elleng]

94. GREAT that she got caught.

(Sorry it happened to an 'innocent,' but that's life in politics.)

[RandiFan1290]

149. No evidence that she is "innocent"

Too many people let a "cute" face fool them.

[elleng]

187. That's true, but more than the face.

I may be too gullible, but did sound like she didn't know what she was doing. If I'm wrong, I truly hope she and TPTB are kicked firmly in the a**.

[L0oniX]

100. +1 pin it to the top!

[brewens]

101. I think the lady filming her should have played it a lot better. No need

to let her know she's busted. She could have agreed she was a Romney voter and thanked her for the work she was doing. "Let the Democrats pay their own registrars honeybunch" but real friendly like. Then tell her she's already registered as a Republican.

She could have gotten some real prosecutable evidence.

[Paka]

103. K&R

If she is old enough to register voters she is old enough to know what she is doing is illegal. grrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

[spanone]

105. i imagine they will steal it anyway possible. too much corporate money on the line.

[redqueen]

112. They'll be trying every trick in the book. They started a while ago

and they will only step up their efforts from now on.

[lucca18]

107. Wow....

I hope that something is done about this. There is so much voter suppression going on all over the country with the Repugs that it makes my head spin!

[joshcryer]

108. Didn't see this post. Posted my own in Politics 2012. This is crazy.

[annabanana]

111. Thanks for reposting this. It NEEDED the word "fraud" in the title.. . . n/t

[ikl]

113. Voter Fraud

Come to think of it,i have not seen any of the major media question Romney,Ryan or any of the Republican leaders about the voter suppression that is taking place in the US.
Have anyone seen different?

[left on green only]

147. I haven't seen that question rise to the top of the media blitz pile either.

Anyway, welcome to DU.

[svip]

114. Well, there goes the next hour of my life

Will spend the next hour tweeting this to any media reporters I see active on Twitter.

[left on green only]

148. Good for you!

By the way, welcome to DU.

[lamp_shade]

151. Time well spent... and welcome, svip, to DU.

[davidpdx]

115. I posted something the other day that I was told by a friend in Colorado

And most people though maybe he was lying. I'm starting to think maybe he wasn't, that it was the Republicans that are playing politics with voter registration.

Here it is verbatim:

"Interesting think happened to me today, I went to <name of grocery store redacted> today (a grocery store) and there was and individual outside trying to register voters. I am already registered to vote so I decided to mess with the guy as I approached. I told him I could not vote because I was on a student visa from Canada so I could not register. The guy told me that I could register because he could work it to where I could vote as long as I voted for Obama in the upcoming elections. I was amazed that someone would be so bold. He told me all I needed was the current address I was living at and he could get me registered. This makes me wonder what is really going on in this election."

http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1251&pid=104324

[NoMoreWarNow]

161. wow-- that sounds like a total setup to claim Obama voter are committing vote fraud

scary!

[davidpdx]

167. I know that was my first reaction

A couple of people on DU said they though it was a lie. After the video of the woman at Safeway, I'm beginning to wonder what the hell is going on.

If anyone is in Colorado Springs, I'll gladly tell you the name of supermarket where it happened in a private message. Although I'm sure that supermarket is big enough it probably has multiple locations. It sure would be interesting to have some people check it out.

[spockeye]

218. There are 5 Safeways in Colorado Springs...

I will be visiting all of them today to see if this is still going on. If it is, I will post videos.

[davidpdx]

219. Really, that was in Colorado Springs?

The one with the gal that got filmed. I didn't know that. The one my friend was talking about was another grocery store. I will PM you the name of it.

I'd really like it if you could get some people together and make random checks on some of these stores.

[Coyotl]

171. hearsay is never evidence of anything, verbatim or not

[davidpdx]

172. Well the question is what benefit would he get out of lying?

I suppose you could claim he was a pathological liar. This is someone I once knew quite well though.

Also this is not a court of law, but a court of opinion.

My point was (and is) someone is possibly misrepresenting the Obama campaign. Is that good for our side if it is true?

I think you know the answer to that one.

[WillyT]

118. K & R !!!

:kick:

[bluestateguy]

119. It could just be that this little sorority girl is ignorant and misinformed

As in maybe she is too dumb to know the difference between County Clerk and the Romney campaign.

She probably skipped her government class on the day they talked about the Hatch Act.

[WallStreetNobody]

123. K&R - send this youtube link around

[Mkap]

124. That girl

Is like "whoa whoa lady im only out here cause the county clerk office is paying me 10 bucks and i want to skip my biology 101 class"

[PowerToThePeople]

125. Well, I see it is already going viral. I hope..

I hope for this young lady's sake, it gets REALY big. Maybe she can be on next years "dancing with the stars" or something. I would hate to see her life damaged from some dumb youthful mistake. She hasn't been free from her (probably ultra-conservative) parents long enough to get a liberal view of the world.

[jsmirman]

128. Not "probably" - at least as to her being LDS

see my post: http://www.democraticunderground.com/10021403098#post117

[MrMickeysMom]

130. They can't get the ones that understand, so they use these twits...

Stupid little girls who don't understand... I'll bet there are stupid little boys, too.

Probably have the extra time after their charter school day is over...

[RandiFan1290]

163. I believe they are college republicons

and they know exactly what they are doing.

[MrMickeysMom]

214. I never met a Republican in college that KNEW what they were doing!

They THOUGHT they knew... oh, yes...

[burrowowl]

132. You have got to be kidding!

Wow this is blatant! Thumbs up to the video taker, get that tape to the AG!

[Smickey]

134. K&R

[Segami]

136. Kick this to the Moon!!

[upi402]

141. They ALWAYS accuse us of THEIR crimes

When they accuse us, you then know where to look.

[Tarheel_Dem]

146. Kick for exposure. Like Bill Clinton said, "it takes a lot of brass....."

[12AngryBorneoWildmen]

154. I love the tone of the lady w/ the camera.

[Coyotl]

166. "That's all I need Honeybunch." LOL

I can't wait to see the follow-ups on this incident.

[PatrynXX]

155. sure

considering the Wisconsin Gazette started following me on twitter might pick up on that one. I don't particularly care who follows me anymore. pointless act.. heck Dominque Moceanu's sister follows me

[DLine]

157. Clearly no clue who she is working for, which may just be the point...

K&R

[Coyotl]

173. Ergo, no clue about how to do what she is doing

and probably no clear understanding of what the people she works for are really doing, destroying any registrations marked Dem.

[Delphinus]

158. Good for the woman taping!

Oh my goodness! I hope this goes out to the entire country - M$M news needs to show this!

[Borchkins]

162. When I was 18. . .

I knew who I was supporting politically and this woman knows, too.
B

[blm]

165. Here in NC we've been getting ALOT of these reports.

.

[wildeyed]

185. I got asked the same question in front of the Cotswold drug store.

I wasn't thinking and answered Obama. I thought it was some pitiful in person push poll and didn't think much more of it. If I had realized they were registering voters I would have let them have it! Keeping an eye out in case it happens again.

[BSUbluNorange]

169. Hate to mention this, but that girl is Mormon..

As a mormon myself, hard to miss the CTR ring on her finger... She's probably 15 and has no idea what she's doing but her parents or whoever organizes this should!

[beac]

181. I certainly think that's worth mentioning!

Last edited Mon Sep 24, 2012, 11:34 AM - Edit history (1)

What is "CTR", by the way?



*edited because there were certainly one too many "thinks"! *

[earthside]

201. 'Chose the Right'

http://www.1on1.net/cgi-1on1/ldstore/perlshop.cgi?ACTION=ENTER+SHOP&THISPAGE=p1ctr_rings.htm&ORDER_ID=!ORDERID!

Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Choose_the_right

I enlarged on the ring and that is what it looks like.

I just feel rather sorry for this girl ... I can hardly believe she is even eighteen.
This kind of manipulation and exploitation of young people for political gain is always disgusting -- no matter which party is doing it.

[KurtNYC]

190. +1

[McCamy Taylor]

195. Thanks. I had a feeling she was Mormon.

[heaven05]

182. hmmmmmph!

says it all.

[Dustlawyer]

184. If you see it going on in your community, film them ignoring minorities b/c I am sure they do.

Acorn looks pretty tame in comparison!

[Bradical79]

186. I actually got a robocall registering people for Romney here in Columbus, Ohio.

[Blue Owl]

188. Oh it's just the GOP lying, cheating, and stealing again

No biggie...

[CanonRay]

189. This is in my Congressional District

Good ole' CD-5. The fightin' 5th, as Colbert would call it. About as far right as a congressional district gets, with a few notable exceptions, and represented by the ever-stupid Mr. Lamborn.

[McCamy Taylor]

194. WTF!

[chknltl]

196. kicked

[LynnTTT]

197. No way is this legal!!

I'm a Democrat here in SC and recently our Democratic Club did voter registration at a public event. We were told DO NOT wear your Democratic club buttons, do not wear a political T-shirt. The banner simply said voter registration. Some people asked who we were voting for ourselves and we simply said, "the important thing is to vote". I suspect that thought we all tea=partyers, since we were all older.
This is clearly against the law, if she was being paid by the County Clerks office.

[Sarah Ibarruri]

198. Who is this female?

Has anyone reported her?

[locks]

202. from Colorado

Channel 7 Denver just put online a reply from El Paso County Clerk Wayne Williams that his office does not conduct partisan voter registration drives and is not affiliated with any partisan voter registration. And that the young woman must have misunderstood the rules since the registration forms are submitted to his office. I hold no love for El Paso county and its clerk but in this case I think he is being honest and he knows enough to not commit this kind of fraud. The young woman was undoubtedly coached and trained by the Repubs and we should give her a break. We Dems who are registering voters need to keep focused on educating and assisting young people and first time voters and treating them with respect.

[Zorra]

205. Here's a link:

http://www.wtsp.com/news/article/275253/81/Voter-registration-video-goes-viral

[LittlestStar]

207. If this is in Co Springs its no surprise.

Creepiest city on the planet.

[The Wizard]

210. Breaking rocks in the hot sun

I fought the law and the law won.
Will she testify against the County Clerk to avoid prison?

[glinda]

211. Kick to Maddow!

[Lunabelle]

212. K&R

Call the office of the clerk.

Clerk & Recorder
Wayne W. Williams
[phone]
[phone] Fax
[e-mail]

Location: 1675 W. Garden of the Gods Rd
Colorado Springs, CO 80907
8:00 am - 5:00 pm Mon-Fri
(except holidays)

[ObaMania]

216. Did anyone forward this to Big Ed or Sharpton?

Al has nightly segments on voter fraud and suppression.

[ObaMania]

223. Turns out Al has been reporting on this.

Mentioned her tonight as a Nathan Sproul trained operative.

Good job Al!

[OldDem2012]

220. Time to lock these people up. nt.

[backscatter712]

221. Anyone here listen to AM760 this morning?

Gloria Neal was talking about this, and there were a whole bunch of callers telling stories about voter registration workers who would only register Republicans, or who would ask Democrats to change their registration to unaffiliated, or who would try to screen people by asking them to take a "poll" first, to ensure they only registered Romney supporters.

VERY ILLEGAL, and systematic.

[Proles]

222. Poor girl doesn't realize she's being used. I'm hoping when she matures she realizes how seriously

wrong this is.