AG: Voter warning linked to GOP campaign

AP via Yahoo ^ | 10/19/2006 | AP

[NonAmerican]

The letter, written in Spanish, tells recipients: "You are advised that if your residence in this country is illegal or you are an immigrant, voting in a federal election is a crime that could result in jail time."

In fact, immigrants who are naturalized U.S. citizens can vote.

The two newspapers reported state investigators had found the location where the letters were printed and mailed to an estimated 14,000 Democratic voters in central Orange County. The Los Angeles Times, citing an unnamed source, said authorities had interviewed Nguyen at his office.

Nguyen did not return messages left by The Associated Press or either newspaper.

[NonAmerican]

Not posted yet? Currently this is the most viewed news on yahoo!

[CharlesWayneCT]

Uh, AP, if you are a naturalized U.S. Citizen you are not an IMMIGRANT, you are a CITIZEN.

Dont' cofuse your current state with your method of arrival. Immigrants are NOT ALLOWED to vote, only CITIZENS can vote.

What AP SHOULD care about is why the democrats DON'T support warning people of the criminality of voting if they are not citizens.

[calcowgirl]

Posted:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1722185/posts

[b4its2late]

Yes, this has been posted before.

[The_Victor]

The letter, written in Spanish, tells recipients: "You are advised that if your residence in this country is illegal or you are an immigrant, voting in a federal election is a crime that could result in jail time."

In fact, immigrants who are naturalized U.S. citizens can vote.

Note to AP: If you you are a naturalized citizen, your status is no longer that of an immigrant.

[indcons]

That's funny. I just took a look at the most recommended and most viewed news on Yahoo and this story appears in neither. Guess it demonstrates how reliable this feature is.

[taxcontrol]

Hey that sounds like a great idea with some slight rewording.

"CAUTION - the State of XXXX is now posting ELECTION JUDGES at polling places to monitor elections.

If you are not a citizen of the United States, or are here illegally, voting in or attempting to vote in the upcoming US Federal election is a crime and if convicted, can result in jail time and possible deportation."

Now if we could get that printed in both English and Spanish then have every registered Republican mail 1 copy to each of the next 10 people in their phone book, we could cover quite a bit of the country.

[zook]

I have no problem with this whatsoever. In fact, I would like to see letters going out reading, "If you are stupid, it would be best if you didn't vote."

[NonAmerican]

At this time, it's #9. The list changes very fast.

http://news.yahoo.com/i/1776

[syriacus]

Seems to me that citizens should have studied their civics enough to know they can vote.

[Youngman442002]

"possible deportation"

Why say Possible?????

[taxcontrol]

The reason I put in possible deportation is because I don't trust the INS to actually carry through. But just a straight deportation would work as well.

[Eepsy]

My mom is a legal immigrant, and she can't vote. I can though :)

[calcowgirl]

The first paragraph of the letter (that is NOT being reported) clearly said:

This letter is being sent because you recently registered to vote. If you are a citizen of the United States, you are requested to participate in the democratic process of voting.

[syriacus]

"The investigation appeared to be focused on the campaign of Tan D. Nguyen, a Republican challenger to Rep. Loretta Sanchez, D-Garden Grove"

Interesting that Loretta Sanchez (D) is involved in this.

The issue of illegal aliens voting has been simmering in Washington since 1996 when Loretta Sanchez ousted Orange County California Congressman Bob Dornan. Illegally cast ballots were responsible for 80 percent of [Sanchez's] narrow margin of victory

http://www.ac4vr.com/app/content.asp?contentid=977

[syriacus]

  Posted by calcowgirl to syriacus The first paragraph of the letter (that is NOT being reported) clearly said:

This letter is being sent because you recently registered to vote. If you are a citizen of the United States, you are requested to participate in the democratic process of voting.

This is probably the most important point of the letter. Thanks for highlighting it.

[3niner]

Gee, I wonder why the AP left out that part?

Is the actual text (or better yet, an image) of the letter posted anywhere? It would be interesting if the accuracy of the translation were checked by someone who didn't have a vested interest finding an excuse to make a fuss.

[calcowgirl]

The best I found is a partial image. It's hard to read, but this is what I get:

Se le envía esta carta debido a que recientemente fue registrado para votar. Si ud. es ciudadano de los Estados Unidos, se le ruega a que participe en el proceso democrático de la votación.

My translation:

This letter is being sent because you recently registered to vote. If you are a citizen of the United States, you are requested to participate in the democratic process of voting.

[calcowgirl]

Here is the source of the above:

http://www.laopinion.com/ciudad/?rkey=00000000000000637940

And the (partial) photo of the letter

http://www.laopinion.com/media_archive/20061015/101706_ciu_3a_foto4.jpg

[calcowgirl]

I have searched for the full letter, to no avail. Even the part about it being a crime for "immigrants" to vote is strangely worded. FYI, I just posted the image/source of the quote you cited. (ping to above).