Massive voter registration fraud case probed

Chicago Sun-Times ^ | 3-12-2004 | CHERYL V. JACKSON

[Prince Charles]

Massive voter registration fraud case probed

March 12, 2004

BY CHERYL V. JACKSON Staff Reporter

The Chicago Board of Election Commissioners is investigating what it says is the largest case of voter registration fraud in recent years -- 1,000 to 2,000 suspect voter registrations, mostly from the 26th Ward on the Near Northwest Side, over a 17-month period.

The registrations are among 10,000 filed between Aug. 12, 2002, and Jan. 29, 2004. The election board used handwriting analysis to determine that 10 percent to 20 percent of the registrations are apparently for nonexistent people or addresses, or vacant lots.

The bogus registrations are believed to have been submitted by two deputy registrars who claim to be associated with the Puerto Rican Federal Affairs Commission, according to board Chairman Langdon D. Neal. The board expects to hand over its findings to prosecutors, he said.

The commission did not return calls for comment Thursday. Neal said it has submitted about 10,000 valid registrations in the last two years, and the election board does not believe it is encouraging voter fraud.

The board began the investigation in January after noticing a spike in the number of returned mailings to addresses in the ward.

Cook County Commissioner Roberto Maldonado -- the ward's Democratic committeeman -- came up with a list of his own of suspect registrations.

He even found four new registrations for his home. And he lives alone.

"I was livid. I went out, and we searched and found that at a gas station there were 17 new registered voters and four at a mechanic's shop," he said.

Maldonado noted the Puerto Rican Federal Affairs Commission had recently gotten grant money to increase voter registration.

"It's sad that a couple of bad apples took it upon themselves to destroy what could have been a good initiative at increasing the number of registered Latino voters," he said.

For Tuesday's primary, the election board will step up measures in the ward to ensure only those with valid registrations vote. More investigators will be dispatched to monitor voting, and a list of the suspect voter registrations will be sent to polling places.

"I also warn any fraudulent voters that they will be arrested and prosecuted to the full extent of the law," Neal said.

[Prince Charles]

Just another day in Mayor Dummy's paradise.

[2banana]

largest case of voter registration fraud in recent years

Funny how these always seem to happen in heavily democrat districts...

[Atlas Sneezed]

"It's sad that a couple of bad apples took it upon themselves to destroy what could have been a good initiative at increasing the number of registered Latino voters," he said.

---

All effective conspiracies preserve deniability at high levels.

[mewzilla]

It's sad that a couple of bad apples took it upon themselves to destroy what could have been a good initiative at increasing the number of registered Latino voters," he said.

Upon themselves? LOL. Gee, now why don't I think so...?

[Prince Charles]

The area in question is also the turf of former gang-banger-turned-congresscritter Luis Gutierrez.

[ABE]

Has anyone ever heard of any legislation proposed to increase the penalties for voter fraud?

If not, why?

It seems it would be a winning proposition to anyone sponsoring such a proposal and it could only help the republicans.

Voter fraud is nothing less than subverting our democratic process and should a major felony!

What am I missing here?

[Kakaze]

Charge them all with treason for attempting to undermine the gov't of the United States. If that won't hold get them for violating the civil rights of american citizens, they have effectively canceled the vote of 10,000 people.

The only way to stop this stuff is to make it a federal matter, god knows the chicago/ illinois political machine will never police itself.

[teletech]

If they REALLY got serious about vote fraud, they could uncover whole cemeterys where all the residents vote on a regular basis.

[truthandlife]

FReepers Against Voter Fraud

[70times7]

If they REALLY got serious about vote fraud, they could uncover whole cemeterys...

Frankly, your suggestion stinks.

[boris]

Here in L.A. County, in 1996, 16,000 fraudulent voter registration forms were "discovered"--40% of the total collected by "three groups associated with the Democratic Party."

"Other counties reported similar findings," the articles coyly announced.

To my knowledge, there have been NO follow-up news items, no grand juries, no indictments, no convictions.

I've written to both local papers a number of times to try to get this surfaced--and finally gave up.

--Boris

[kittymyrib]

Also funny how this probe is into fraudulent Hispanic voters who may be challenging the power bases in Chicago....

[teletech]

Frankly, your suggestion stinks

So does the voter fraud in "Crook" County!

[Arrowhead1952]

If they REALLY got serious about vote fraud, they could uncover whole cemeterys where all the residents vote DEMOCRAT on a regular basis.

There. I fixed your post.

[Datom]

In the words of the late great Democrat Mayor Richard J. Daley - "Vote early and vote often."

[hosepipe]

Everybody... even democrats.. KNOW Al Gore is a moron..
Yet he got very nearly 1/2 the vote in 2000.....
course running against the son of "read my lips, no new taxes" might have contributed to that total.
But even then.. AL Gore.?.. Yeccch...
MAybe thats what drove the democrats crazy..
cause they definitly are nutz.. and maybe its OUR FAULT!.....LoL..

[wontbackdown]

DEAD DEMOCRATS RISING FROM THE GRAVE TO VOTE!>

[Arrowhead1952]

Cook County Commissioner Roberto Maldonado -- the ward's Democratic committeeman -- came up with a list of his own of suspect registrations.

He even found four new registrations for his home. And he lives alone.

the ward's Democratic committeeman

Enough said.