Pubdate: Mon, 02 Nov 2015
Source: Dayton Daily News (OH)
Copyright: 2015 Dayton Daily News
Contact: http://drugsense.org/url/7JXk4H3l
Website: http://www.daytondailynews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/120
Author: Alan Johnson

VOTER FRAUD ALLEGED IN POT ISSUE

Claims About Registration Forms Sent to Prosecutor.

Ohio Secretary of State Jon Husted Friday sent details about 
potential voter registration fraud by ResponsibleOhio to the Delaware 
County prosecutor for possible legal action.

Husted said in a letter to Delaware County Prosecutor Carol O'Brien 
that voter registration forms submitted by The Strategy Network, the 
company owned by Ian James, executive director of ResponsibleOhio, 
appear to include "potential violations of election laws."

The action resulted from an independent inquiry started by the 
Delaware County Board of Elections of "petition and voter 
registration irregularities" in ResponsibleOhio's signature-gathering 
campaign to get the marijuana legalization amendment on the fall 
ballot. Voters will decide State Issue 3 on Tuesday.

Husted said he received information from Delaware County election 
officials on Oct. 6 and, after review, decided to forward details to 
the prosecutor for potential legal action. The number of cases of 
alleged fraud wasn't immediately available.

Husted said the Delaware County inquiry is separate from an on-going 
investigation by his office of allegedly irregularities in 
ResponsibleOhio's campaign. That investigation is currently tied up in court.

James responded that his campaign gathered 155,000 new voter 
registrations and is required by state law to submit them to boards 
of election, even if the information appears questionable.

"There is no gray area here. We don't have discretion," James said. 
"If the secretary wishes to give us authority to reject 
registrations, then he should work with the General Assembly to 
change the law."

James accused Husted of "bullying" ResponsibleOhio because he opposes 
the marijuana issue.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom