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Pasco Republicans Targeted in Voter Scam

The Pasco County Supervisor of Elections is warning residents that a fraudulent mail campaign is under way telling some voters they can’t cast ballots in the Nov. 6 election.

 

Brian Corley wants voters to be very wary of letters that come in the mail from the “County Supervisor Division of Elections.”

Those letters, postmarked out of Seattle, Wash., are fraudulent.

Corley ought to know.

As Pasco County’s supervisor of elections, Corley has faced unusual election scams in the past. Unlike other scams, however, this one isn’t meant to up voter registration rolls.

It seems to be targeting Republican “super voters,” Corley said.

“It’s letterhead that’s doctored,” he said Tuesday evening after his office received two complaints from voters about the letters.

The letters, which claim to come from Corley’s office, tell voters their citizenship is in question and say they might not be eligible to vote in the Nov. 6 election. Letter recipients are being told that voting without citizenship is a third-degree felony.

In order to clear up the mess, the letters tell voters they need to complete a voter eligibility form within 15 days or their names will be removed from voter rolls.

So far, two letters have been reported to Corley's office, but there may be more. Both were sent to Pasco Republicans who have voted consistently in recent elections, Corley added.

The Problem Goes Beyond Pasco

Corley said the letters aren’t just showing up in Pasco County.

“Corley was made aware of the fraudulent letters yesterday (Monday) via email from Florida Secretary of State Ken Detzner whose office has begun an investigation into the letters, (which were) first reported by Brevard County,” a media release from Corley’s office said.

In a subsequent interview, Corley said the letters are now being reported in counties statewide.

“It’s utterly pathetic,” he said.

It is unclear at this time if voters in Hillsborough County have received similar letters. The Hillsborough County Supervisor of Elections Office, however, has sent out a media release warning voters about the letter campaign.

‘Cowardice’ is to Blame

Corley is outraged that voters are receiving the letters.

“The word cowardice comes to mind,” he said. “Scaring or intimidating voters is inappropriate and I’ll do everything I can to assist (law enforcement). We want to encourage everyone to vote. (People) shouldn’t be using scare tactics and be deceitful to accomplish a goal.”

What to Do If You Receive a Letter

Anyone who receives the letter is asked to call 1-800-851-8754 and retain the envelope and letter.

Related Topics: Brian Corley, Pasco County Supervisor of Elections, and election fraud

cindy

8:26 pm on Tuesday, October 23, 2012

Glad to see he'll do everything since voter fraud in Virginia is obviously accepted. You can even throw completed voter registration forms in the garbage and nothing happens. Oh but wait, it was Democrats targeted in Virginia, not Republicans...now I understand.

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Brian Corley

9:34 pm on Tuesday, October 23, 2012

Cindy-Your comments are devoid of truth! I turned in suspected fraudulent voter reg applications to the State Attorney and FDLE and the group alleged to be behind the forms-was the Republican Party of Florida. My obligation to serve and look out for ALL voters in Pasco County doesn't know party lines. So, I would respectfully ask that you withhold comments devoid of the truth until you are aware of the facts.

Grace

6:22 am on Wednesday, October 24, 2012

Cindy, Mr. Corley is right. We get enough b.s. on tv, good heavens some of these political ads make you want to go out and buy a shovel for all the b.s.! But really, until you have to facts, it's best not to make comments like that. That would make you be like Fox News or the GOP, and even CNN at times, basing claims without having the facts. I watched all three debates. Look Mr. Corley has to work for ALL voters, it doesn't matter if the state is currently more Republican. It doesn't matter if they redraw districts or did what happened in 2000. If these letters are coming from out of state, then again here we go with outsiders wanting to get involved in our elections here. I mean AZ made a printing error on Spanish language voter forms, but it was caught and has been corrected. This is 2012, news travels fast, facts can be checked, errors (intentional or not) can be brought to light! It's the right of Americans to vote and if ALL people go and vote fairly and without intimidation, Mr. Corley has done his job. Do you think he wouldn't get into trouble otherwise?

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Krystal

9:37 am on Wednesday, October 24, 2012

Well when you make it so easy to get our home addresses, party registration, and what elections we've voted in (and who knows what else), do you really think these things are not going to happen? It more so pisses me off that my personal information is in public, non-government databases for any horrid person to look up and use to harm me, courtesy of the government.

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RD

11:10 am on Wednesday, October 24, 2012

Good to see your continued, unbiased approach to reporting, Sherri. It's been widely freported throughout the state, not only in Pasco or this area for that matter, that people from both parties have been targeted and it's not "super voters". Keep up the good work not telling the whole story.

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