VOTER REGISTRATION Elections board seeks probe

The group says it is committed to following the law.
By STEPHEN SIFF
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
WARREN -- The Trumbull County Board of Elections will ask law enforcement officials to investigate a nonprofit organization that has attempted to register thousands of voters.
Employees reviewing voter registration cards turned in by America Coming Together, a left-leaning, nonprofit group, found cards with forged signatures, incorrect voter addresses and mistaken birth dates, said board director Norma Williams.
In one case, a registration card was submitted by the group for a Niles man who said he never spoke with anyone from the organization, Williams said. His signature appears to have been forged, she said.
"This is a fifth-degree felony -- falsification of records," said Craig Bonar, a Republican member of the board. "I think the prosecutor's office or the sheriff should be asked to check it out."
The board voted unanimously to direct Williams to write a letter to the prosecutor's office requesting action.
According to its Web site, America Coming Together intends to build the largest voter mobilization effort in history to defeat incumbent President Bush in November. Since September, the group has registered about 50,000 voters in Ohio, said state communications director Jess Goode.
Local action
The group employs 24 canvassers who work door to door throughout the Mahoning Valley, most earning $8 an hour, Goode said. They are not paid by the card.
"We are very careful to make sure that all of our activities comply with the law," he said in a written statement. "All of our canvassers are instructed about the importance of accurate and honest registration of voters. ACT has a zero tolerance for any questionable activity and will terminate employees that are proven to have engaged in such activity."
Elections board officials say they are concerned that potential voters who attempted to register with ACT will be turned away from the polls on Election Day because of errors.
The board does not process registration cards that have incorrect addresses or other information.
The board normally sends a confirmation card to new voters and voters who have filed paperwork for a change of address. Errors in addresses, however, result in some cards' being returned as undeliverable.
Inaccurate voter registration cards have resulted in more work for board employees, Williams said.
"If the prosecutor tries to interview people, at least the word will get out and they will stop it," said Democratic board member Nicholas Melfi.
siff@vindy.com