(Koch Sponsored) AFP Wisconsin ballots (to Dems) have late return date

[kpete]

Source: Politico

August 01, 2011
AFP Wisconsin ballots have late return date

Americans for Prosperity is sending absentee ballots to Democrats in at least two Wisconsin state Senate recall districts with instructions to return the paperwork after the election date.

The fliers, http://www.politico.com/static/PPM187_ballotapp.html obtained by POLITICO, ask solidly Democratic voters to return ballots for the Aug. 9 election to the city clerk "before Aug. 11."

A Democrat on the ground in Wisconsin said the fliers were discovered to be hitting doors in District 2 and District 10 over the weekend.

"These are people who are our 1's in the voterfile who we already knew. They ain't AFP members, that's for damn sure," the source said.

Read more: http://www.politico.com/blogs/davidcatanese/0811/AFP_Wisconsin_ballots_have_late_return_date.html?showall

---

DAVID KOCH’S AMERICANS FOR PROSPERITY PLAYS DIRTY TRICK IN WI: MAILS ABSENTEE BALLOTS TO DEMS WITH WRONG ELECTION DATE | David Koch’s right-wing front group Americans for Prosperity has been particularly active in Wisconsin, where AFP has run hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of ads boosting Gov. Scott Walker (R-WI), mobilized GOTV efforts for Republican voters, and helped large employers conduct captive meetings to coerce workers into supporting conservative politicians. Now, Politico is reporting that AFP has mailed absentee ballots to Democrats in at least two Wisconsin state Senate recall districts with instructions to return the paperwork after the election date. The mailers, obtained by reporter David Catanese, instruct reliable Democratic voters to return ballots for the Aug. 9 election to the city clerk “before Aug. 11.” “These are people who are our 1′s in the voterfile who we already knew. They ain’t AFP members, that’s for damn sure,” a Democratic campaign worker told Politico.
http://thinkprogress.org/justice/2011/08/01/284603/koch-wisconsin-dirty-trick/

[drm604]

1. This is a criminal violation isn't it? n/t

[Roland99]

15. IOKIYAAR

[HomerRamone]

39. It's Ok If You're An Asshole Republican? ~(_8^(|) nt

[damntexdem]

20. Yeah, and they will likely get away scott free.

Hopefully it won't fool too many voters.

[Enthusiast]

77. If they would do this what else would they do?

Flip vote totals in electronic voting? Suppress voter turn out? Assassinations? We already know they will do all these things.

Where is the DOJ? Obama's DOJ is nowhere to be seen because they are protecting 'their' side.

[Auntie Bush]

22. The man needs to be arrested...NOW!

Of course the courts may see things differently.

[valerief]

23. Republicans don't commit crimes. They just change the laws as they go along. nt

[tsuki]

44. Republicons do not commit crimes. They are always the victim, ask them. nt

[pansypoo53219]

49. forever calvin ball.

only way they can win. but i forget brainwashing.

[Stumbler]

29. Yep

But remember:

When a democrat sneezes, it's filed under "state-sponsored abortion."
When a republican commits treason, it's filed under "due process."

If a democrat failed to pay a parking ticked 20 years ago, it's "grand conspiracy to commit fraud," and gets endless airtime.
If a republican fails to pay income taxes for 20 years, it's called "legislative oversight," and deemed to be a non-news-story instantly.

In other words, it's fun playing with a loaded deck, as long as you're the one holding the cards....

[discursiveformation]

59. If true it would be election fraud which is criminal. Now to

prove it was not just a typo. But they also put the wrong address on the return envelop. I hope people will know the true dates of return. But if the return address was wrong also, then it does not seem to matter. What was the purpose of this?

[Bozita]

62. pssst .....

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_SCfwBkF65oY/SQNM4rxrijI/AAAAAAAAF8g/IIQp9liG57s/s400/Dem+Monopoly+Get+Out+of+Jail+Free+Card.jpg

[sinkingfeeling]

2. How does AFP even have copies of absentee ballots? Aren't they controlled by the state?

[drm604]

7. If you look at the flyer linked to by the OP

you'll see that what they sent out was an application for an absentee ballot, rather than the ballot itself. So yes, the Politico article is making a misstatement when they say that AFP sent out ballots.

The fact does remain, however, that the instructions say that when they do receive the ballot (in response to sending in the application) they should mail it in before August 11. If the election is on August 9, then this is obviously a problem.

[sinkingfeeling]

9. Thanks.

[defendandprotect]

67. And don't see either how Koch Bros AFP should even have that much control ....

this is government function to mail out absentte ballots --

where does Koch Bros have a right to intervene -- ?

Don't get it?

[LiberalFighter]

41. It is not the actual ballots but a request to receive an absentee ballot.

Applications also need to be received by the election board well enough in time for them to send the ballots out to the voters so the voters can send the filled out ballots back to be counted.

[xxqqqzme]

85. Wondered this as well.

In CA only the SoS or Registrar of Voters certifies and/or prints ballots.

[midnight]

3. Those damn koch roaches are visibly out in force...

Unfortunately the GAB is in a comma...

[Name removed]

34. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[RedCloud]

52. It is time for V to strike their buildings!

[grahamhgreen]

4. Throw em in jail! Ask questions later.

[No Elephants]

5. Dems need to go to court to get the date moved to August 12.

[tcaudilllg]

32. No... the way forward is for a Dem prosecutor to step up and charge Koch.

That will get the people's attention and largely nullify any negative effect, while also setting justice in motion.

[paparush]

58. Charge him with what? A typo?

I mean, I think the guy is scum, and I don't think the late date printed on the form is an accident. How do you prove intent?

[discursiveformation]

60. There is more......

How many times can they stupid??

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/08/koch-group-mails-suspicious-absentee-ballot-letters-in-wisconsin.php?ref=fpb

...Furthermore, a close look at the mailer shows a continuation of irregularities that have already involved conservative groups and absentee ballots in the state.

The mailing address for the applications is listed as "Absentee Ballot Application Processing Center, P.O. Box 1327, Madison WI 53701-1327." A Google search shows that this address is not any sort of government office, but has been used by the conservative group Wisconsin Family Action.

In addition, Wisconsin Right To Life previously used the same address for absentee ballot application letters and phone calls that were sent out shortly before the July 12 Democratic primaries, but after the official deadlines for the applications. The group responded to criticism, saying the phone calls were intended to be for the general elections in August.

[druidity33]

73. Hey, thanks! And, Welcome! nt.

[msongs]

6. we used to have a president and DOJ who did something about this kind of thing nt

[Plucketeer]

21. You're thinking of the USA

not the UCA (United Corporations of America). Alot of us got notifications about the change (from USA to UCA), but we got them a couple days AFTER the change had taken place. Of course, "change" IS what we'd voted for.

[Scruffy1]

25. There too busy raiding anti-war grandmothers.

[Enthusiast]

78. And marijuana growers......nt

[defendandprotect]

68. +1000%

[Roy Rolling]

8. suspicious

I don't put it beyond AFP to cheat, but when I looked at the actual ballot and flyer on the Politico website the August 11 date is disturbingly different than the rest of the text. Maybe that's just a field that is filled in separately from the rest of the text but it is definitely different than the rest of the letter.

Either the date is filled in and the rest of the text is printed beforehand, or the date is doctored to make this point.

Like I said, I don't trust AFP---but this text discrepancy should be troubling to document examiners.

[Demit]

16. I don't see what you mean.

There's only a link on their website that when you click it, you download a pdf file of the ballot application. The only place where "August 11" appears is on page 3 of the pdf, in Step 4. The date is in the same typeface as the rest of the text, no different.

[Doctor_J]

19. So they thought after printing these of another way to cheat

or maybe someone down the food chain came up with that idea. Big deal - it's still criminal.

[LanternWaste]

47. No difference in typeface, font size, leading or kerning...

No difference in typeface, font size, leading or kerning... what specifically are you referring to?

[Roy Rolling]

54. type size

it looks like the text is bold weight and the "August 11" is not . . .like I said, maybe it's just the way the date was added later to the mass mailing. But it appears to be added at a different time than the rest of the text.

[MoDupey]

10. I should be shocked

however I am not at all surprised. I live in district 10 and the amount of mail I am getting from the Harsdorf people is insane. They are spending big money on this.

[Yon_Yonson]

11. Nothing I hear about these NEOCON rat turds surprises me anymore

how's our good old GAB doing? Asleep at the switch or maybe they designed the forms.

:banghead:

[madrchsod]

12. i love the fine print that absolves them from crimnal action........

[Kingofalldems]

13. Never trust a republican---incredibly sneaky and dishonest.

[SoapBox]

14. Not a surprise...and they'll claim a simple "typo"?

Criminal...really, it is criminal.

[jwirr]

17. This should be a criminal act if it is not already. They will stop at

nothing - any more information on the fire in LaCrosse?

[Doctor_J]

18. when the fuck is Holder going to start arresting these people?

Jesus Christ, does this administration care anything about democracy?

[tcaudilllg]

35. Holder is possibly the weakest AJ ever.

[Enthusiast]

79. Face it now or

live forever with the consequences. This administration cares nothing about democracy, just like the administration before them.

[bobthedrummer]

24. The LaCrosse based We are Wisconsin headquarters was destroyed in a fire Saturday

WI 32nd Senate District recall candidate Democrat Jennifer Shilling's (opponent of Republican WI 32nd District Senator Dan Kapanke) LaCrosse office was also affected-I don't believe in coincidence when it comes to politics here.

K&R

[defendandprotect]

69. K/R ************** for anyone who didn't hear that yet ******************

[Enthusiast]

80. PLUS ONE!

We have to recognize the enemy. We have to understand what they are.

[BlueIdaho]

26. How is this not against the law?

These criminals have no place in a free democracy.

[Initech]

27. Another rigged election brought to you by Koch Industries.

Koch Industries: Successfully rigging elections and screwing the workers since 1975. :grr:

[kestrel91316]

61. I learned all I need to know about Koch Industries recently when one of

their semis ran a red light and almost hit me as I crossed a major street here recently (with a crossing signal in my favor).

[highplainsdem]

28. Prosecute them. They're criminals.

[on point]

30. This is the kind of election fraud that ought to prosecuted. And I think a 20 yr sentence is good.

Despite Repuke delusions there does not appear to be any real cases of the kind of voter fraud that the voter ID program is said to fight. However there is tons of evidence of this kind of voter fraud perpetrated by the repukes in their drive for dictator powers.

This kind of voter fraud is a direct assault on democracy and not only needs to be prosecuted seriously, but those undertaking it need to know this is a serious offense. I suggest this is the great response any time there is a voter id item on any repuke ballot. Add prosecution of this kind of crime in and make it a 20 year sentence.

[LetTimmySmoke]

31. Is that not illegal?

[perdita9]

33. Isn't this illegal????

How come this organization isn't being charged with anything?

[renate]

36. how is this not election tampering?

This can't possibly be something that they can get away with. They'll probably just say "Whoops, our bad... it was an honest mistake." Which would just be too damn bad... it should be illegal to disrupt an election whether it can be proved to be intentional or not.

[Guilded Lilly]

37. The corruption isn't even hidden anymore...

a new type of *transparency*

Hideous, probably unlawful, but when has that stopped Republicans in the last decade? They don't even care when they are caught.

[southernyankeebelle]

38. You sure won't hear this on Fox or Limpy's radio.

[EC]

40. Besides being illegal

I'd say it implicates them in the theft of the computers last year (or was it the year before?)when the Dem headquarters was hit. They somehow have a list of dedicated Dem voters, since they aren't just hitting Dem areas, they are hitting actual Dem addresses. So where did they get the list?

[LiberalFighter]

42. They have their own database from the GOP Party.

Based on surveys and other info they know.

[alfredo]

48. They are available at county clerk offices for a small fee.There may be restrictions

On who can receive them.

[alp227]

43. This is just so low. ONLY the state should be authorized to send absentee ballots.

Why isn't the justice department lifting a finger on this? All we hear in the media are those overblown stories about ACORN volunteers registering Mickey Mouse and the New Black Panther party.

[pam4water]

45. Marked to read later.

[LanternWaste]

46. Yup... Voter ID solves everything.

Yup... Voter ID solves everything. Or at least the biggest problems. Well, not the biggest, actually a tiny, select, count-on-your-fingers number of problems.

Perpetually petulant voter ID proponents want to solve non-existent problems with individuals, and turn blind eyes to endemic problems in the system.

[defendandprotect]

70. +1000% -- and how long before a picture isn't valid ...? After two years could be questions ....

Your signature on demand is the only proof of your identity --

Can you imagine all the people who can be turned away because the pic doesn't

look like the person?

And what next? Fingerprinting? Chips?

[Blue Owl]

50. Wow let's compromise with these pieces of shit

Wouldn't the world be a better place if we moved closer to these GOP fuckstains.

:sarcasm:

[Enthusiast]

81. Yes. Great point.

[McCamy Taylor]

51. Where is the DOJ on this?

[Frisbee]

53. Until they get caught smoking a joint...

the DOJ will continue to ignore them.

[defendandprotect]

66. +1 --

[ashling]

55. This is, of course, mail fraud

Mail Fraud
U.S. Postal Inspectors investigate any crime in which the U.S. Mail is used to further a scheme--whether it originated in the mail, by telephone, or on the Internet. The use of the U.S. Mail is what makes it mail fraud.

If evidence of a postal violation exists, Postal Inspectors may seek prosecutive or administrative action against the violator. However, if money is lost through a fraudulent scheme conducted via the mail, Postal Inspectors lack the authority to ensure you receive a refund and can't require that products, services, or advertisements--on the Internet or elsewhere--be altered.

Postal Inspectors base investigations of mail fraud on the number, pattern, and substance of complaints received from the public. The Postal Inspection Service will carefully review the information you provide. We may share the information with other agencies when there is a possible violation within their jurisdiction.

If you feel you've been victimized in a fraud scheme that involves the U.S. Mail, submit a Mail Fraud Complaint Form to the U.S. Postal Inspection Service.

[SleeplessinSoCal]

56. I know dirty politics has gone on for decades, but is this truly legal?

[lunasun]

71. this same tactic has been used for decades ! By Repugs esp. in working class areas

where people are too busy working for a living for a lot of politics and may not notice or keep tabs on the date but want to vote. Usually fliers with the day after election date listed to go vote

[SleeplessinSoCal]

76. One would have to be a hermit not to know about what is going on.

[PuffedMica]

57. Republicans are going lie, cheat, and steal this election

The Republicans are embolden from their theft of the Presidential election in 2000
They are embolden with the theft of Ohio in 2004
They are embolden with the theft of Prosser over Kloppenburg
Now the Republicans are burning down Democratic campaign headquarters and poisoning the absentee voting.

They have been successful at cheating so many times, it has become their modus operandi

[Bozita]

63. CBSNews: Koch-backed group's fake eviction notices rile up Detroit - video

I dug this up from the ol' memory hole.

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-503544_162-20070076-503544.html

June 8, 2011 12:40 PM
Koch-backed group's fake eviction notices rile up Detroit
By Stephanie Condon

Residents in a Detroit neighborhood received a scare this week when they found what appeared to be eviction notices on their doors. The flyers, however, turned out to be political pamphlets in opposition to the construction of a controversial new bridge.

The fake eviction notices were posted by a local chapter of Americans for Prosperity, the conservative political advocacy group backed by Charles and David Koch, the billionaire brothers who run Koch Industries and are longtime libertarians. Local political leaders and columnists are condemning the group for scaring residents -- whose homes sit in the epicenter of the nation's foreclosure crisis -- while refusing to disclose which of its corporate backers are funding the flyers.

At the center of the flyer in question, in large print, reads: "Eviction Notice." In medium print, the top of the flyer reads, "This property is subject to seizure by the Michigan Department of Transportation." Only in small print does the flyer say the property in question could be seized if legislation approving the bridge is passed.

more...

[defendandprotect]

64. How have Koch Bros/AFP gained any control over absentee ballots????

[defendandprotect]

65. And Koch Bros. needs to do this because this is a rw conservative nation --- :ROFL:

[sybylla]

72. WisDems to file complaint...

http://www.wisdems.org/news/press/view/2011-08-wisdems-file-complaint-against-koch-brothersafp-dirt

WisDems To File Complaint Against Koch Brothers/AFP Dirty Tricks

Call on Six Republican Recall Senators to Denounce Tactic

MADISON-The Democratic Party of Wisconsin on Tuesday will file a complaint seeking the immediate end to a Koch Brothers-funded scheme to suppress Democratic votes in upcoming recall elections and called on six recall Republican senators to denounce the tactic.

The corporate front group Americans For Prosperity has in at least two recall districts reportedly been distributing absentee ballots with return instructions that would render the votes ineligible.

See attached complaint here.

"Scott Walker has sought the help of the corporate front group "Americans For Prosperity," and here they come with dirty tricks clearly meant to meddle in our elections and suppress votes against the Koch Brothers' agenda," Democratic Party of Wisconsin Chair Mike Tate said Monday. "Wisconsin's election authorities must stop the black hand of the corporate special interests and their front groups who are trying to strangle democracy in our state and support the six Republican senators now facing recall.

These six Republicans must immediately denounce the AFP scheme or it will signal to the public that they endorse the suppression of Wisconsin votes."

[usaf-vet]

74. Two questions with answers.

One.. where is the federal DOJ.
Two.. who is watching out for US the middle class?

Answers
1.Nowhere to be seen.
2.No one who cares.

[StarsInHerHair]

75. WELL?! are they going to be thrown in jail? if not-they're part of the problem

[PhoenixAbove]

82. K&R +1 n/t

[a2liberal]

83. K&R (n/t)

[iemitsu]

84. how come americans for prosperity get to mail

absentee ballots? why isn't the state or local government doing this?
has ballot distribution been privatized?