Voters say they were duped into registering as Republicans

[NNN0LHI]

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/washingtondc/la-me-fraud18-2008oct18,0,6338789.story

YPM, a group hired by the GOP, allegedly deceived Californians who thought they were signing a petition. YPM denies any wrongdoing. Similar accusations have been leveled against the company elsewhere.

By Evan Halper and Michael Rothfeld, Los Angeles Times Staff Writers

October 18, 2008

SACRAMENTO -- Dozens of newly minted Republican voters say they were duped into joining the party by a GOP contractor with a trail of fraud complaints stretching across the country.

Voters contacted by The Times said they were tricked into switching parties while signing what they believed were petitions for tougher penalties against child molesters. Some said they were told that they had to become Republicans to sign the petition, contrary to California initiative law. Others had no idea their registration was being changed.

"I am not a Republican," insisted Karen Ashcraft, 47, a pet-clinic manager and former Democrat from Ventura who said she was duped by a signature gatherer into joining the GOP. "I certainly . . . won't sign anything in front of a grocery store ever again."

It is a bait-and-switch scheme familiar to election experts. The firm hired by the California Republican Party -- a small company called Young Political Majors, or YPM, which operates in several states -- has been accused of using the tactic across the country.

[myrna minx]

1. This needs WIDE exposure.

[Orrex]

2. This is crappy, but what's the likely impact?

I mean, these people can still vote Democrat, right? Or is it just a shitty ploy to skew the apparent Republican population?

[liberal N proud]

6. Once you are in the voting booth, you can vote your choice

Not a fuckin' thing they can do about it.

The only impact would be on future primaries in some states that you have to declare prior to the election.

[MiniMe]

3. It only matters in the primaries

Although it does affect the mail she will likely receive.

[NNN0LHI]

4. It can be used for gerrymandering districts too

The Rethugs are famous for that.

Don

[MiniMe]

9. Excellent point

Thanks :hi:

[unblock]

10. and all other manner of politicking.

specifically, it affects the mail and the calls you might get.

more generally, it affects the positioning of the candidates who might run in your district or state, how much money the parties might put into your area, and so on. and since public policy is often driven by electoral and political considerations, it could affect funding for your area or whether or not that important piece of infrastructure is approved, etc.

[Crazy Dave]

5. They can still vote for who they want in the election

Still very dishonest though

[NJCher]

7. now this is REAL VOTER FRAUD

Republicans are always slinging those charges around. Classic projection.



Cher

[KharmaTrain]

8. Here's The Problem...

Let's see how this case plays out...this may come in handy in the future. For this election, it will have little effect since this issue has been so muddied by the GOOP, attempting to make a big deal out of it just plays into the "equivelency game" the corporate media loves to play..."both sides do it".

As others have noted, the flipping of parties doesn't invalidate these registrations, but it can have an affect on how polling is done...meaning that if it's reported that there's a higher number of newer GOOP registrations, the polls could be weighted heavier toward the GOOP candidate.

Cheers...