False Information Discouraging Would-Be Voters
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Posted: 9:40 PM Sep 29, 2008
False Information Discouraging Would-Be Voters
A lot of rumors and false information is circulating to discourage certain people from voting, according to officials and residents.
Reporter: Carrie Cline
Email Address: carrie.cline@wsaz.com
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HUNTINGTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) -- A lot of rumors and false information is circulating to discourage certain people from voting, according to officials and residents.

Longtime voter Johnny Nance said he received information indicating that he needed to mail a card and send a photo ID or he would not be registered to vote. He said he has voted in every election since 1972 and took it personally when a glitch in West Virginia’s computer system threatened his right.

"It made me very mad," Nance said. "I fought for the right to vote and voted in every single election, even the small ones."

Nance made a few calls and that problem was worked out. But Cabell County Clerk Karen Nance said there are plenty of other problems discouraging voters across the country.

"They're finding ways to discourage people from registering and throwing out anybody new, especially the youth who are looking like they're coming out for Obama," she said.

The efforts are well documented. In battleground states such as Virginia, notices were sent to students indicating that voting in their college towns could, among other things, "Kill college scholarships."

Cole clarified the situation.

"College students have the option of voting in the county where they're attending college or can vote absentee in the county in which they reside," she said.

In other places, these so-called dirty tricks are targeting foreclosure victims. Again, that’s a myth.

"The only thing that would preclude you from voting is if you are a convicted felon," Cole said.

And that's only until you've served your sentence, probation and paid any fines. Local Republicans said they've registered Democrats to vote and dispute the claims of unfair play.

Meanwhile, local concerned citizens in Huntington say they will be going door-to-door registering people to vote, making sure they know their rights and helping them to fill out their cards properly so there's no dispute.


Latest Comments

Posted by: Jennifer on Sep 30, 2008 at 10:25 AM

This type of nonsense is happening all over NC. Know your rights people! Call your state Board of Elections if you have questions and BARACK THE VOTE!
Posted by: Lee on Sep 30, 2008 at 10:05 AM

This story is trying to lend credibility to a lot of hearsay and undocumented accusations, wow! Way to tell the whole story WSAZ.
Posted by: Rednecks & idiots will believe anything on Sep 30, 2008 at 08:50 AM

lets not forget the BIGGIE that has been circulated about Obama from the get-go that he is (GASP!) a Muslim Terrorist! Give me a break! Bush & Co have had folks scared of so-called terrorists for years now when they havent made ANY effort to find the REAL terrorist who attacked us on 9/11! During the last election I heard idiots in Wayne, Cabell, Lincoln & all the other redneck areas here touting Bush because of all these "terrorists" running around Yeah terrorists WOULD be SO interested in all the meth labs, crack houses and redneck welfare recipients in WV & Appalachia now wouldn't they? They're around EVERY corner in Wayne etc! So better vote for Bush & now the senile old man! The only terrorists in Wayne, Cabell, Lincoln & WV are the politicians, druggies blowing up their meth labs, sex offenders and inbred idiots! The same ones who think a terrorist is going to attack them in downtown Wayne WV! so they believe Obama is a terrorist because hes Muslim? puleeze
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