Threatened “ballot security” operations 2010 

This election cycle, there has been a significant increase in mobilization around so-called “ballot security” efforts—where political operatives and private citizens take it upon themselves to police the voter rolls and voting booths.  In states across the country—and especially where there are hotly contested races or immigration debates—there is increased rhetoric stoking fears of voter fraud and organized campaigns supposedly designed to target such fraud.

The following are news articles and other sources describing these efforts:

National

• Krissah Thompson, Some complaints surface amid stepped-up efforts to monitor voting fraud, Washington Post, November 3, 2010.
• Ian Urbina, Reports of Intimidation and Electronic Problems Surface at Polls Across the U.S., New York Times, November 2, 2010. 
• Michael Muskal, Voters report problems in several states, LA Times, November 02, 2010.
• Michael Waldman, Fear voter obstruction, not fraud, Op-Ed, CNN.com, November 1 2010.
• Tova Wang, Voter Fraud Hysteria, Op-Ed, Washington Post, November 1, 2010.
• Bryan Preston, Voter Fraud Watch: Get the App, Pajamas Media, November 1, 2010.
• Alex Koppelman, Election Fraud Charges Swirl Even Before Election Day, ABC News, November 1, 2010.
• Ryan J. Reilly, Justice Department To Monitor Polls In Harris County, Sheriff Joe’s Turf, October 29, 2010.
• Sandhya Somashekhar, Voter fraud fears become the latest partisan issue, Washington Post, October 29, 2010.
• David A. Love, The Corporate Financing of Voter Suppression, Huffington Post, October 29, 2010.
• David Goldstein, Concerns grow about election fraud, voter intimidation, McClatchy Newspapers, October 29, 2010.
• Ryan J. Reilly, Fox News Sets Up E-Mail For Voter Fraud Complaints, Talking Points Memo, October 28, 2010. 
• Ladan Nekoomaram, Efforts to challenge, intimidate voters on the rise in Texas and across nation, Houston Chronicle, October 28, 2010.
• Michelle Malkin, The Left’s Voter Fraud Whitewash, Parts I and II, Texas Insider, October 28, 2010.
• Estelle Rogers, Tea Party, GOP Groups, Target Minorities for Voter Suppression Schemes, Project Vote, October 28, 2010.
• J. Christian Adams, Voter Fraud Watch: A Primer on What to Watch For, Pajamas Media, October 27, 2010.
• Alex Pareene, Right-wing voter fraud obsession leads to tens of criminal charges, Salon, October 27, 2010.
• Christine Pelosi, Democrats Push Voter Protection While GOP Shout Voter Fraud in a Crowded Polling Place, Huffington Post, October 27, 2010.
• Anita Moncrief, Introducing the Voter Fraud app, HotAir.com, October 27, 2010.
• Dan Amira, Voter Fraud the Latest Thing Threatening to Destroy America, Says Tea Party, New York Magazine, October 27, 2010.
• Christopher Beam, Fake the Vote, Slate, October 26, 2010.
• Ian Urbina, Fraudulent Voting Re-emerges as a Partisan Issue, New York Times, October 26, 2010.
• Pam Fessler, Efforts To Prevent Voter Fraud Draw Scrutiny, NPR, October 26, 2010.
• Brian Montopoli, Poll Watching Efforts Draw Scrutiny, CBS News, October 26, 2010. 
• Ryan J. Reilly, Michelle Malkin: 'We Are All Voter Fraud Police Now’, Talking Points Memo, October 25, 2010.
• Rachel Slajda, Voter Fraud: There’s An App For That, Talking Points Memo, October 25, 2010.
• Suzy Khimm, The Tea Party’s Election Spies, Mother Jones, October 22, 2010.
• Rachel Slajda, Dick Armey: Many Dems Are Voting Early To Commit Voter Fraud, Talking Points Memo, October 21, 2010.
• Anti-voter fraud initiative by conservative community organizing website Anystreet.org: FightVoteFraud.com
• Eliza Newlin Carney, The Risk of Voter Suppression, National Journal, October 18, 2010.
• Article discussing anti-voter fraud initiatives nationwide: Suzy Khimm, The Tea Party Will Be Watching You, Mother Jones, October 18, 2010. 
• Article discussing conservative website’s initiative for citizen journalists to monitor polling places nationwide: Ryan J. Reilly, Pajamas Media Launches Anti-Voter Fraud Effort, Talking Points Memo, October 15, 2010. 
• Conservative website initiative for citizen journalists to monitor polling places nationwide, last accessed October 19, 2010: http://pajamasmedia.com/rogerlsimon/2010/10/10/voter-fraud-watch-uncle-pajamas-wants-you/.
• Ryan J. Reilly, GOP Lawyers Group That Gins Up Voter Fraud Claims Hosting Training Events Across Country, Talking Points Memo, October 15, 2010.
• Ryan J. Reilly, Outside Groups Have A Leg Up On RNC In 'Ballot Security’ Efforts, Talking Points Memo, October 15, 2010.
• Phillip Elliot, Warnings of Voter Suppression, AP, October 14, 2010.
• Ryan J. Reilly, Tea Party Groups Pick Up The Mantle of GOP’s Bogus Voter Fraud Claims, Talking Points Memo, September 19, 2010.

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Arizona

• Ana Campos, Confrontation unfolds at polling site, KOLD, November 2, 2010. 
• Group used Arpaio’s name without his permission, Associated Press, November 1, 2010.
• Rachel Slajda, AZ House Candidate: Dems Are Busing Mexicans In To Vote Illegally, Talking Points Memo, October 29, 2010.
• Ryan J. Reilly, Sheriff Joe Joins Anti-Voter Fraud Crusade, Talking Points Memo, October 28, 2010.
• Brian Pryor and Forrest Carr, Arizona Secretary of State speaks on voter fraud rumors, KGUN 9 News, October 28, 2010.
• Paul Gutierrez, AZ State Secretary skeptical of voter fraud claims, KYMA News 11, October 28, 2010.
• Sheriff Joe Arpaio makes bogus voter fraud claims in voter suppression effort, Blog for Arizona, last visited October 28, 2010.
• Stephanie Wilken, Election official: Claims of voter registration fraud not true, Yuma Sun, October 26, 2010.
• Rachel Slajda, Voter Fraud Allegations In Yuma County Turn Out Baseless, Talking Points Memo, October 26, 2010.
• Blog post alleging widespread voter fraud by voter registration groups in AZ, October 21, 2010: http://www.publiuspundit.com/?p=3371.
• Maricopa County GOP calls for volunteer poll watchers, October 10, 2010: http://www.maricopagop.org/2010/10/10/mcrc-briefs-101010.
• Vote Fraud Taskforce Group website – North Phoenix Tea Party, last accessed October 12, 2010; http://originalnorthphoenixteaparty.ning.com/group/votefraudtaskforce.
• Website for voter fraud event – Phoenix Tea Party, last accessed October 19, 2010: http://originalnorthphoenixteaparty.ning.com/xn/detail/5149323:Event:1345?xg_source=activity.

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California

• Mike Rhodes, Local Groups Fight Voter Suppression in Fresno County, IndyMedia.org, October 31, 2010.
• Brad Ross, Recognizing Voter Fraud, Santa Ynez Valley Journal, October 28, 2010.
• Fight Voter Fraud Page – Central Valley Tea Party website, last accessed October 19, 2010, http://www.centralvalleyteaparty.com/page/fight-voter-fraud.
• Central Valley Tea Party website – Blog post calling for pollwatchers to fight against voter fraud, last accessed October 19, 2010: http://www.centralvalleyteaparty.com/forum/topics/voter-fraud-the-democrat.

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Delaware

• Delaware Dems Claim Intimidation by O’Donnell Backers, GOP Camp Says Coons 'Panicking,’ FoxNews.com, November 02, 2010.

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Florida

• Ryan J. Reilly, FL GOP Poll Watcher Allegedly Records Information On Cell Phone, Talking Points Memo, October 26, 2010.

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Georgia

• Article discussing website that claims candidate for governor fought for illegal immigrants’ right to vote: GOP said candidate Roy Barnes fought to give illegal immigrants the chance to vote, PolitiFact, September 29, 2010.

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Illinois

• Jake Griffin, Voter Intimidation?  Or Rough-and-Tumble Politics, Addison Township Style?, Daily Herald, November 7, 2010.  
• Ryan J. Reilly, Cook County Clerk: Voter Fraud Fears 'Totally Blown Out Of Whack’, Talking Points Memo, October 25, 2010.
• Jen Sabella, Birther Sharon Meroni Linked To Mark Kirk’s 'Voter Integrity Squad’ In Illinois, Huffington Post, October 21, 2010.
• Ryan J. Reilly, Illinois GOP Chair: We’re Working With RNLA On 'Voter Integrity’ Program, Talking Points Memo, October 19, 2010.
• Charles Ellison, IL GOP Senate Candidate Accused of “Voter Suppression,” Politic 365, October 14, 2010.  
• Ryan J. Reilly, Mark Kirk’s 'Voter Integrity’ Program Connected To IL GOP, National Efforts, Talking Points Memo, October 14, 2010.
• Joe Barrett, ‘Voter Integrity’ Push Stirs Up Illinois Race, Wall Street Journal, October 8, 2010.

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Indiana

• Ryan J. Reilly, 'Bumping Of Bellies’ Between GOP Activist, Dem Over Poll Watching Effort, Talking Points Memo, October 25, 2010.

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Kansas

• Tim Carpenter, Dems decry bogus robocalls, Topeka Capitol Journal, November 1, 2010.
• Rachel Slajda, AZ Immigration Law Writer Running for Office in Kansas on Voter Fraud Platform, Talking Points Memo, October 25, 2010.
• David Klepper, Immigration Rises as Issue in Secretary of State Race, Kansas City Star, October 22, 2010.
• Joe Tone, Sam Brownback joins Kris Kobach in vowing to fight non-existent voter fraud, The Pitch Blogs, October 19, 2010.
• Rebecca Zepick, Kris Kobach Talks About Voter Fraud In Kansas And His Plans If Elected Secretary Of State, State of the State News, October 18, 2010.

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Maryland

• Potomac Tea Party Report cross posted blog urges readers to sign up as poll watchers or election judges to combat fraud: http://potomacteapartyreport.wordpress.com/2010/08/09/jim-simpson-get-involved-now/

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Michigan

• Kathleen Gray, GOP Goal: 3,000 to Keep Eyes on Voters, Detroit Free Press, October 13, 2010.
• Michigan Republican Party, Election Day Operations Program 2010 (PowerPoint), available at http://api.ning.com/files/hK9yZkwJmE8YMhUW9OXvNjvTlPu8e*CraIguOYJyRaGDTh*lF07typFEl-hRQH9rkloEfrsF2*oq1v1HtXZRJUoY7TK3UXL1/EDO_2010_Presentation1.ppt;
• Southwest Michigan Tea Party Patriots Poll Challenger Training event: http://kzooteaparty.ning.com/events/event/show?id=3096146%3AEvent%3A36015&commentId=3096146%3AComment%3A36887&xg_source=activity.

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Minnesota

• Josh Simeone, Voters Challenged in Hennepin Co., KSTP, November 2, 2010.
• Andy Birkey, Tea Party, Minnesota Majority sue state over political buttons, Minnesota Independent, October 28, 2010.
• Ryan J. Reilly, Minn. Poll Watchers May Sue Over 'Astonishing’ Ban On 'I.D. Me’ Buttons, Talking Points Memo, October 28, 2010.
• Ryan J. Reilly, MN County Attorney Says Conservative Voter Buttons Are Banned, Talking Points Memo, October 28, 2010.
• Ryan J. Reilly, Minn. Conservative Group’s Voter Fraud Allegations About Five Percent Accurate, Talking Points Memo, October 27, 2010.
• Ryan J. Reilly, Republican Lawyers And Norm Coleman: George Soros Wants To Buy Election, Talking Points Memo, October 26, 2010.
• Anti-voter fraud group distributing buttons that read “Please I.D. Me” to be worn on Election Day: Preventing Minn. Voter Fraud, OneNewsNow.com, October 25, 2010.
• Rachel E. Stassen-Berger, A Bounty for Fraud Catchers, StarTribune.com, October 20, 2010.
• Don Davis, Rewards Offered for Voter Fraud Convictions, Capitol Chatter, October 18, 2010. 
• Don Davis, “Group Pledges To Watch For Voter Fraud,” Woodbury Bulletin, October 7, 2010.
• Tom Scheck, Minn. Groups Plans Polling Place Surveillance, Minnesota Public Radio, October 7, 2010.  

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Missouri

• Jo Mannies, St Louis County reports a few aggressive Republican ‘challengers’, Saint Louis Beacon, November 2, 2010.
• Bev Darr, Blunt requests 'election challengers’, Hannibal Courier-Post, October 29, 2010.

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Nevada

• Rachel Slajda, NV Secretary Of State: GOP Voter Fraud Complaint Unfounded, Talking Points Memo, November 1, 2010. 
• Block the vote, Las Vegas Sun [Editorial], October 31, 2010.
• Ryan J. Reilly, Sharron Angle’s PAC Fueled Anti-'Voter Fraud’ Group, Talking Points Memo, October 28, 2010.
• Anjeanette Damon & David McGrath Schwartz, Allegations fly at polls, but no evidence of wrongdoing, October 27, 2010.
• Rick Ungar, Voter Suppression in Nevada, Forbes, October 19, 2010.
• Video in Nevada encouraging Latino voters to not vote: Josh Marshall, Just Coming Right Out & Saying It, Talking Points Memo, October 18, 2010.

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New Mexico

• Bryant Furlow, SOS: Disruptive poll watchers a problem in four N.M. counties, New Mexico Independent, November 2, 2010.
• Bryant Furlow, GOP poll challengers warned by Dona Ana county clerk’s office, New Mexico Independent, November 2, 2010. 
• Bryant Furlow, GOP trains N.M. tea party poll challengers, New Mexico Independent, November 1, 2010.
• Albuquerque Tea Party hosts challenger training courses, trains 85 poll challengers: http://www.albuquerqueteaparty.com/Issue1Number5.pdf, Albuquerque Tea Party- Patriot Action Team, Issue 1, Number 5, August 19, 2010.

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New Hampshire

• N.H. attorney general warns of election scam, Seacoastonline.com, October 28, 2010.

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North Carolina

• Thomas Goldsmith & Lynn Bonner, Poll observers upset voters, NewsObserver.com, October 27, 2010

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Ohio

• Article discussing local Tea Party group’s Executive Director encouraging people to volunteer as poll watchers: Mike Sever, Portage Tea Party Counting Down to Election Day; Volunteers Eager to Help, RecordPub.com, October 17, 2010.

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Pennsylvania

• Rachel Slajda, PA Elections Board To Sequester Absentee Ballots After Dueling Fraud Claims, Talking Points Memo, October 29, 2010.
  
  

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Texas

• Ryan J. Reilly, Tea Partiers and New Black Panthers To Square Off At Polls In Texas, Talking Points Memo, November 1, 2010.
• Abby Rapoport, The Battle of Harris County, Texas Observer, November 1, 2010.
• Ryan J. Reilly, True The Vote Documents Show Hidden Donations, Republican Ties, Talking Points Memo, October 29, 2010.
• Ryan J. Reilly, Tea Partiers Join Rep. Jackson Lee In Calling For Federal Election Monitors In TX, Talking Points Memo, October 29, 2010.
• Bob Price, Voter Fraud – There’s an App for that!, Texas GOP Vote, October 29, 2010.
• Ryan J. Reilly, New Black Panthers Will Be Watching Polls In Houston, Talking Points Memo, October 29, 2010.
• Ryan J. Reilly, Rep. Jackson-Lee Calls For Federal Poll Monitors In Texas, Talking Points Memo, October 28, 2010.
• Ryan J. Reilly, Fake Group Hands Out Fliers Meant To Mislead Black Voters In Texas, Talking Points Memo, October 28, 2010.
• Dave Fehling, Are poll watchers crowding some locations and ignoring others?, khou.com, October 27, 2010.
• Chasen Marshall, Voter Intimidation Victim and Witness Come Forward, And Nov. 2 Looms Closer, Houston Press, October 27, 2010.
• Ryan J. Reilly, Rep. Jackson-Lee, TX Tea Party Poll Watching Group Trade Accusations, Talking Points Memo, October 26, 2010.
• Ryan J. Reilly, County Clerk’s Office Dismisses Voter Intimidation Allegations In TX, Talking Points Memo, October 22, 2010.
• Chris Moran, New Voter Complaints Surface, Houston Chronicle, October 22, 2010.
• Ryan J. Reilly, Eyewitnesses Report Intimidation By Texas Poll Watchers, Talking Points Memo, October 21, 2010.
  
• Chasen Marshall, King Street “Patriots”: Voter Intimidation Continues At Polling Stations Around Houston, Houston Press, October 21, 2010.
• Voter Intimidation (Harris County), Eyewitness News KTRK ABC 13, October 19, 2010, available at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vljF1WvSvUQ.
• Ryan J. Reilly, Voter Registration Group Targeted By TX Tea Party Group Received Threats, Talking Points Memo, October 20, 2010.
• Ryan J. Reilly, True The Vote: Voter Intimidation Claims Come from 'Partisan Operatives’, Talking Points Memo, October 20, 2010.
• Ryan J. Reilly, DOJ Probes TX Voter Intimidation Complaints During Tea Party Anti-Voter Fraud Drive, Talking Points Memo, October 19, 2010. 
• Joe Holley and Chris Morgan, Harris County Warns Parties to Watch the Poll Watchers, Houston Chronicle, October 19, 2010. 
• True the Vote, Resources for Activists – Training materials used by True the Vote/King Street Patriots, last accessed October 19, 2010: http://www.truethevote.org/resources-for-activists.
• Joe Holley, Some Harris County early voters upset by poll watchers, Houston Chronicle, October 18, 2010.
• San Antonio Tea Party site recruiting poll watchers, last accessed October 19, 2010: http://www.sanantonioteaparty.us/101704/poll-watchers-needed.
• B.R. Kimbro, Kingwood Tea Party gets schooled on voter fraud, OurTribune.com, October 18, 2010.
• Rachel Slajda, In Texas’ Biggest County, A Minority Registration Drive Is Crippled By Fraud Allegations, Talking Points Memo, October 5, 2010.
• Patrick Brendel, Texans for Public Justice Files Ethics Complaint About King Street Patriots KSP/True the Vote, The American Independent, October 18, 2010.
• Article Discussing Lawsuit by Texas Democratic Party against Harris County Voter Registrar: Patrick Brendel, Harris County Spokesman: Democrats’ $1.5 Million Voter Records Request Vastly Different From Tea Party’s $1,000 One, The American Independent, September 28, 2010.
• Ed Barnes, Citizens’ Group Helps Uncover Alleged Rampant Voter Fraud in Houston, FoxNews.com, September 25, 2010.
• Patrick Brendel, Harris County GOP Directs Pollworkers To Training From Tea Party Group, The American Independent, Sept. 9, 2010.
• Chris Moran, Democrats Again Sue Tax Office Over Voter Registrations, Houston Chronicle, September 2, 2010.
• Chris Moran, ‘Attack’ Alleged On Local Voter Rolls, Houston Chronicle, August 25, 2010.

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West Virginia

• Ryan J. Reilly, West Virginia GOP Launches Anti-Voter Fraud Effort, Talking Points Memo, October 26, 2010.
• West Virginia Secretary reminds poll workers that trainings by third parties to detect voter fraud are not official trainings: Tennant Reminder of Required Poll Worker Training WHSV.com, October 21, 2010.
  
• Alison Knezevich, W. VA GOP to deploy “Ballot Security Team”, Charleston Gazette, September 30, 2010. 

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Wisconsin

• Wisconsin agency says voters don’t have to show ID, Associated Press, November 2, 2010. 
• Training Materials used by Were Watching Elections, last accessed October 19, 2010: http://www.werewatchingwisconsinelections.org/Election-Observer-Project.html.
• Josh Dorner, Right Wing Foments Voter Fraud Conspiracies, Hatches ‘Voter Caging’ Plot To Suppress Minority Votes In WI, Think Progress, September 21, 2010.
• Ryan J. Reilly, As Billboards Pop Up In Wisconsin, Tea Party And GOP Accused Of Voter Suppression, Talking Points Memo, September 23, 2010.
• Joan McCarter, One Wisconsin Now Uncovers Organized Voter Suppression Effort, Daily Kos, September 20, 2010.
• Bob Hague, Group alleges voter suppression effort, Wisconsin Radio Network September 20, 2010 .
• Tea Party, GOP Accused of Voter Suppression TMJ4 Milwauke, September 20, 2010.
• David Dayden, Voter Caging Scheme Uncovered in Wisconsin, News.FiredogLake.com September 20, 2010.
• Jason Stein, Liberal Group Alleges Tape Reveals Plan to Challenge Voters, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel September 20, 2010.
• Mary Spicuzza, Politics blog: Liberal group accuses conservatives of a voter suppression plot, Wisconsin State Journal, September 20, 2010.