Phony Virginia Flier Culprit Found

State elections officials have identified the person responsible for a phony election flier that told Republicans to vote on Tuesday and Democrats to vote a day later.

State Board of Elections Secretary Nancy Rodrigues said Monday the flier bearing the Virginia seal and the elections board logo was a joke that got out of control. The flier was distributed early last week across Hampton Roads. State police confirmed it also was distributed by e-mail.

State officials declined to name the person who created the flier or a second person who began distributing it.

While distribution of false information to voters is a misdemeanor, state police spokeswoman Corinne Geller says no charges would be filed.

Comments

[greguva]

Update: I contacted Corinne Geller from the Va State Police about the incident, and after a little prodding finally got this reply:

"I believe this Virginian-Pilot article following up on the original report about the fake flier will provide you with additional insight into this matter:"

Link to the article: http://hamptonroads.com/2008/11/obama-campaign-played-unwitting-role-phony-polls-flier-0

[shanefish]

I see nothing funny here at all. If ignorance of the law is no excuse, surely humor is no excuse either.

[JWakkaJane]

Wingnut Democracy:

Some government goldbricker spells your street wrong and you go to Gitmo.

But, "distribution of false information" to voters is a joke?

hahah.

[VeroucaSalt]

Okay, don't prosecute. Just publicize the name of the person responsible. Vigilanteism runs rampant in America.

[g-g-g]

voter suppression is terrorism

[Marlyn]

"a joke that got out of control" ???

Did you ever notice, Republicans always do that when they get caught?

[g-g-g]

voter suppression is terrorism.

[DowneastBuffAlum]

Agree: file charges. If that is not going to happen, then at least get the name(s) and make 'em public. They might just wish charges had been filed. I'll look away if you do.

[kendal]

The hard-won right for all Americans to participate in the democratic process is too easily dismissed by this incident. How long have we been fighting to make it a universal right in our own country? How much have we paid in lives and income to push democracy in Iraq? How many Iraqis risked their lives to then vote? And yet we wink and say “oops” when someone in Virginia attempts to sabotage voters’ constitutional right to participate in the democratic process: damned shameful.
In reference to pthesmith’s contact information below, I’m certainly going to put it to my representative, as well.
Hmmm--think the prankster has connections, maybe?

[pthesmith]

This is the spokesperson's contact information from the Virginia State Police website:

Public Relations Manager (Richmond)
Corinne Geller
7700 Midlothian Turnpike
Richmond, Virginia

[phone] telephone
[phone] fax
[phone] cell

vsp.virginia.govsp.virginia.gov

I let ms. geller know what I thought about the decision in an email.

[whit4brains]

Why are no charges being filed?

[Emlyn]

Charges should be filed and those people should be arrested. I don't say jail but they certainly should be made to pay a fine or do community service. This is ridiculous!

[mediamarv]

"While distribution of false information to voters is a misdemeanor, state police spokeswoman Corinne Geller says no charges would be filed."

Would that be because it only harmed Dems???

Why are Repubs above and not answerable to existing laws???

Maybe a new Attorney General will fix that.

[soulfulnotes]

Maybe a civil suit is in order. We've got to put these scumbags away, and make an example to reduce this kind of stuff in the future.

[Tericruz]

I agree. We have to lay down the law when it comes to surpressing the vote. This is not a joke, it's illegal and anyone working for the state should know this. Where is the outrage. Whether liberal, conservative, republican or democrat, everyone should be outraged!

[GotRights]

In a civil suit, the plaintiffs have to prove they were harmed. That might be tough in this case. But maybe a federal Civil Rights Act violation could be prosecuted.

[VeroucaSalt]

Better suggestion: ask the ACLU to handle it.

[InfiniteShibumi]

A "joke?" How can a political flyer sent to Democratic voters in the heat of the Election of the Century be simultaneously identified and cavalierly dismissed as a joke??? Did Rodriguez manage to say this with a straight face?

[JWakkaJane]

"Did Rodriguez manage to say this with a straight face?"

Hey, if they can call Mickey Mouse's registration a "FRAUDULENT VOTE" with a straight face, they sure scooby dooby doo can call this a joke.

[DemoMom]

So this is a "joke that got out of hand"?? Some joke! I will certainly be sending an e-mail to Corrine Geller. It's not a joke when people are disenfranchised - what morons!