Voters contend they were duped into registering as Republicans - LA Times

[steve2470]

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-fraud18-2008oct18,0,1216330.story

SACRAMENTO -- Dozens of newly minted Republican voters say they were duped into joining the party by a GOP-hired contractor with a trail of fraud complaints stretching across the country.

Voters contacted by The Times said they were tricked into switching parties while signing what they believed were petitions for tougher penalties against child molesters. Some said they were told that they had to become Republicans to sign the petition, contrary to California initiative law. Others had no idea their registration was being changed.

"I am not a Republican," insisted Karen Ashcraft, 47, a pet clinic manager and former Democrat from Ventura who said she was duped by a signature gatherer into joining the GOP. "I certainly . . . won't sign anything in front of a grocery store ever again.

FOR THE RECORD:
An earlier version of this article said absentee voters who arrive at the polls without an absentee ballot cannot vote there. Such voters can request a provisional ballot at the polls, which is counted if election officials later verify that the voter is registered and has not voted elsewhere.

more at link above

[AllieB]

1. This happened in either 2004 or 2006 also.

An independent firm working for the RNC signed up a whole bunch of Democrats as Republicans. I'll google and see what I can find. I think it was in Nevada.

[blm]

5. They were gathering registrations and throwing OUT those who registered as Democrats.

It was widespread in 2003 and 2004.

[AllieB]

6. Yes-that's it.

It was happening in NM and NV specifically. I can't remember the organization's name...

[AlCzervik]

2. Voter fraud----Where the fuck is the gop now? I demand an investigation into this un american

non democratic crime!

[clydefrand]

3. Don't people stop to read what they are signing?

I think they will have to take part of the blame on this one.

[Marsala]

4. Does this actually matter much?

Aside from appearing to boost GOP numbers, this shouldn't help the Republicans at all as these people can vote for anyone they want.

[Gold Metal Flake]

7. After the primaries, what does it matter?

In some places with Repulicult AGs or election officials one might have a better chance getting one's vote counted if one were registered repuke. The ballot is the same.