Fake voter registration letters raise alarm in Florida with early voting set to begin

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**Jihadin**

A clever attempt at intimidation and suppression of Republican voters is now under investigation in, where else, the state of Florida.

The historic battleground, with 29 Electoral College votes up for grabs, begins early voting Saturday, but dozens of voters so far have produced strange letters they just received informing them that their citizenship is under question and if they attempt to cast a ballot before clearing the issue up they face a felony charge and possible jail time.

But the letters are bogus, and all were postmarked in Seattle.

"My concern is that, again, the absentee ballot folks or some elderly folks in Florida that aren't as mobile, can't get to the election office -- they may just be on the fence, whether they want to vote or not in the election -- will just decide I'm not going to do it, I'm not going to risk it," said John DeAngelis, one of the Florida voters who received the letter.

Florida’s secretary of state calls this a clear case of voter intimidation.

The fake letters were not sent certified mail, just apparently dropped in a mailbox in Seattle, with no return address or person or group identified as the sender. County elections supervisors in Florida are now warning all Florida voters that these bogus letters are arriving and are not to be believed.

Three key clues that they’re fake: the Seattle postmark, the letters weren’t sent certified mail and the county elections supervisor’s signature is missing.

"They know, conceivably, Florida will be close,” says Tim Durham of Collier County, Fla. "If they can get enough people not to vote, they could help their cause."

So far, these letters have shown up at the homes of voters in 23 of Florida's 67 counties. More are expected.

The Romney campaign is aware of the issue.

“Our campaign is concerned with this situation, and we are monitoring it closely. If anybody believes that they have received one of these letters, we urge them to contact their local election officials and the Florida Department of State,” spokesman Ryan Williams said.

The state of Florida is investigating.

And it begins

**Kanluwen**

Yes, if only the Republicans could pass a law protecting those poor helpless voters!

Preferably by making it obnoxiously difficult for anyone to vote Democrat, like Pennsylvania and North Carolina did!

At this point, Romney's campaign has reaped what they've sown. They want to play these ridiculous games--there certainly are members of the Democratic party who seem to be more than willing to play.

Doesn't make it right, but does make it hilarious.

**sebster**

And yet any suggestion of an impartial, Federal body to regulate elections simply can not be considered.

**Kanluwen**

Dey took our votes!

**Peregrine**

So, where exactly is the evidence that it was aimed at republican voters?

**azazel the cat**

Peregrine wrote:So, where exactly is the evidence that it was aimed at republican voters?

Just as a guess: registered voter rolls likely match up closely.

**sebster**

Peregrine wrote:
So, where exactly is the evidence that it was aimed at republican voters?

I'm guessing that they were sent to Republican voters.

But then again, the original story is FOX news, so who the hell really knows?

**Ahtman**

sebster wrote:
Peregrine wrote:
So, where exactly is the evidence that it was aimed at republican voters?

I'm guessing that they were sent to Republican voters.

But then again, the original story is FOX news, so who the hell really knows?

The Shadow knows...

**SilverMK2**

What the hell is wrong with some of you guys? I really don't get the level of hate and lies and pretty much illegal behaviour between the main parties and their "supporters".

**Ouze**

I dunno, man. I think if they can track down who sent them, they should send them to jail.

**AustonT**

Ahtman wrote:
sebster wrote:
Peregrine wrote:
So, where exactly is the evidence that it was aimed at republican voters?

I'm guessing that they were sent to Republican voters.

But then again, the original story is FOX news, so who the hell really knows?

The Shadow knows...

He's on NBC now.

**Ouze**

AustonT wrote:
He's on NBC now.

Is this a reference to Al Sharpton, or what?

**dogma**

SilverMK2 wrote:
What the hell is wrong with some of you guys? I really don't get the level of hate and lies and pretty much illegal behaviour between the main parties and their "supporters".

Americans like their myths, and God (a Christian God, of course) help anyone that assails them.

**sebster**

Ouze wrote:
Is this a reference to Al Sharpton, or what?

Alec Baldwin starred in The Shadow, in a strange time in our history when people thought he could be a leading man.

Now he's on 30 Rock, which is an NBC show about NBC.

**Ouze**

That makes way, way more sense, thanks.

**azazel the cat**

Ouze wrote:I dunno, man. I think if they can track down who sent them, they should send them to jail.

Uh, yeah. At least two federal laws were broken.

**Frazzled**

Jihadin wrote:
A clever attempt at intimidation and suppression of Republican voters is now under investigation in, where else, the state of Florida.

The historic battleground, with 29 Electoral College votes up for grabs, begins early voting Saturday, but dozens of voters so far have produced strange letters they just received informing them that their citizenship is under question and if they attempt to cast a ballot before clearing the issue up they face a felony charge and possible jail time.

But the letters are bogus, and all were postmarked in Seattle.

"My concern is that, again, the absentee ballot folks or some elderly folks in Florida that aren't as mobile, can't get to the election office -- they may just be on the fence, whether they want to vote or not in the election -- will just decide I'm not going to do it, I'm not going to risk it," said John DeAngelis, one of the Florida voters who received the letter.

Florida’s secretary of state calls this a clear case of voter intimidation.

The fake letters were not sent certified mail, just apparently dropped in a mailbox in Seattle, with no return address or person or group identified as the sender. County elections supervisors in Florida are now warning all Florida voters that these bogus letters are arriving and are not to be believed.

Three key clues that they’re fake: the Seattle postmark, the letters weren’t sent certified mail and the county elections supervisor’s signature is missing.

"They know, conceivably, Florida will be close,” says Tim Durham of Collier County, Fla. "If they can get enough people not to vote, they could help their cause."

So far, these letters have shown up at the homes of voters in 23 of Florida's 67 counties. More are expected.

The Romney campaign is aware of the issue.

“Our campaign is concerned with this situation, and we are monitoring it closely. If anybody believes that they have received one of these letters, we urge them to contact their local election officials and the Florida Department of State,” spokesman Ryan Williams said.

The state of Florida is investigating.

And it begins

To maintain its honor, FLorida must now declare war on Seattle. Unleash the Old People Electric Cart Assault Troops!

**Jihadin**

chad....its da chad.....all da chads belong to "The Cosen One"

or wait

It was probaly a republican nutjob that did this. If a republican nutjob can shoot a democratic building then a republican nutjob can mail these out. All most protect "The CHosen One"

**Ouze**

Jihadin wrote:
chad....its da chad.....all da chads belong to "The Cosen One"

or wait

It was probaly a republican nutjob that did this. If a republican nutjob can shoot a democratic building then a republican nutjob can mail these out. All most protect "The CHosen One"

When the level of discourse has sunk to repeated 4-year-old references to "the chosen one" interspersed with, literally, gibberish; I can't help but think your heart simply isn't in this anymore. Perhaps you have election fatigue?

**Seaward**

Kanluwen wrote:
Preferably by making it obnoxiously difficult for anyone to vote Democrat, like Pennsylvania and North Carolina did!

First there's the pit of spikes you need to leap over, then there's the jungle full of man-eating tigers, and finally there's advanced calculus problems.

Or else it's just having to show your ID. I forget which, exactly.

**AustonT**

Ouze wrote:
That makes way, way more sense, thanks.

Good work Sebs.

Automatically Appended Next Post:

Ouze wrote:
AustonT wrote:
He's on NBC now.

Is this a reference to Al Sharpton, or what?

Wait circle back around. Why would that be Al Sharpton?

**Ouze**

He's the only person I know who was recently added to NBC's lineup. When you said "now" I assumed it was a new hire, and you meant (formerly MSNBC) NBC. I hadn't considered a non-political anecdote, kind of forest for the treets thing.

**kronk**

Frazzled wrote:

To maintain its honor, FLorida must now declare war on Seattle. Unleash the Old People Electric Cart Assault Troops!

My money is on Florida. They have an SEC school.

**spiralingcadaver**

SilverMK2 wrote:
What the hell is wrong with some of you guys? I really don't get the level of hate and lies and pretty much illegal behaviour between the main parties and their "supporters".

There's been a growing disunity over the last decade in particular.

With war and economic instability, people more actively seek what they know (party lines), and more actively justify/defend them through whatever means they feel necessary, and fight dirty (fraud and threats).

As one group does this increasingly, others join in in escalation, because if the rules have changed, why not play with the new rules?

Personally, I'm pretty disgusted with it, but it's pretty clear what the progression is.

**kronk**

I just early voted so I can't be molested on Super Tuesday!

**Frazzled**

kronk wrote:
I just early voted so I can't be molested on Super Tuesday!

Me too. The downtown tax office is only three blocks away from work and I was done in 5 minutes. Ok add two minutes to help the elderly Spansih speaking lady and three minutes for an affadavit that I'm still at my address then its Green Party uber alles time.

**juraigamer**

sebster wrote:
Peregrine wrote:
So, where exactly is the evidence that it was aimed at republican voters?

I'm guessing that they were sent to Republican voters.

But then again, the original story is FOX news, so who the hell really knows?

You can assume it's the opposite, after all the time, effort, and amount of money required to drive around and place the letters does suggest someone with some cash and free time is behind this.

**gregor_xenos**

Seaward wrote:
Kanluwen wrote:
Preferably by making it obnoxiously difficult for anyone to vote Democrat, like Pennsylvania and North Carolina did!

First there's the pit of spikes you need to leap over, then there's the jungle full of man-eating tigers, and finally there's advanced calculus problems.

Or else it's just having to show your ID. I forget which, exactly.

No kidding. Glad someone said it.

**kronk**

There was a feth up when I voted today. They had my first and last name backwards on the registrar when I went to vote.

Solution? The looked at my driver's license #, then found the problem.

Having my ID fething fixed their issue and allowed me to vote today.

So, you know, there's that.

**daedalus-templarius**

Jihadin wrote:
chad....its da chad.....all da chads belong to "The Cosen One"
All most protect "The CHosen One"

Why do you keep saying this?

It wasn't funny the first time, and it isn't now either.