The lie of the non-partisan organization!
It really ticks me off when a group purports to be non-partisan, but in practice is anything but – and this election cycle has been a good example of this growing problem. Except for those who may have been living under a rock most people know about the growing allegations of voter registration fraud and possible voter fraud that have been laid at the feet of A.C.O.R.N. At last count similar accusations have been lodged in about fifteen different states. These allegations are serious, and they also undermine voter confidence in the system. A.C.O.R.N., in my opinion has done little to set the record straight, including their recent political ad that accused John McCain and Republicans of trying to steal the election. Now that’s irony personified since A.C.O.R.N. is on the record endorsing Obama and they are the organization that is under scrutiny in both “blue” and “red” states and by both Democratic and Republican Secretary of States – so one has to wonder who is trying to “steal” the election. A.C.O.R.Ns’ motives are not pure, they purport to be non-partisan yet they endorse a candidate for president – this is not the action of a non-partisan organization. If they were truly committed to simply getting out the vote then they would not pick and chose how they promote the cause. By way of example let me share an email from a young lady in Ohio who attempted to make use of an A.C.O.R.N. early registration “booth”.
I am an 18-year-old student at a local community college in Columbus Ohio. Through out this whole week I have seen Vote Early signs everywhere. But on those signs is Obama’s face. I am voting for McCain and this seems a little biased, because I feel that you can vote early but it should not have only one candidate’s face on the poster. Then today as I was walking to class I noticed a large cut out of Obama. There was a van with "VOTE OHIO VOTE OBAMA" I was curious enough that I decided to go up and ask if I wanted to vote early but wanted to vote for McCain would they be able to take me. The lady I spoke with said well...uhh...I would have to speak with my adviser. This really made me angry. If you want to vote early it should be by absentee ballot only. This would eliminate voter fraud in my opinion, and then I could go to class in peace!
Katie C
After reading this young lady’s email you have to ask yourself was it legal for an early voting area/booth to display any campaign material, let alone only the picture of only one candidate. In California, such electioneering is illegal and can get one arrested. Groups that use public monies, i.e. taxpayer dollars, for something such as getting out the vote have an obligation to not prostelize in favor of any party, proposition, or candidate. Their only focus should be helping people access, complete, and turn in their voter registration forms, these groups should also do everything they can do about helping folks get their hands on ALL the information about the issues, not what the organization picks and chooses. The above example is abhorrent, and inexcusable. I hope that the Ohio Secretary of State takes steps to punish such behavior, but from the numerous published reports that I have read about the Ohio Secretary of State she probably thinks such electioneering is acceptable and I wouldn’t be surprised if she gave A.C.O.R.N. an award for what I can only describe as illicit and immoral actions.
