Signature-verification check for Referendum 74 is underway | Apparent fraud found

Editor's Note: The following is from David Ammons, Communications Director for the state Secretary of State.

Before getting started with their 3 percent random sample on Sunday, Election Division crews found about 50 petition sheets that appear to be fraudulent. The approximately 1,000 signatures were names of legitimate registered voters, but the signatures did not match the one on file.  The petition sheets were circulated by the same individual, apparently a paid signature solicitor.

After the R-74 check is completed, the Elections Division will conduct a full review of the questionable signatures, and then turn the results over to the Washington State Patrol for further action. In previous cases, the patrol has investigated and then turned the information over to a county prosecutor.

Initiative/referendum petition fraud is a Class C felony punishable by up to five years in prison and/or up to a $10,000 fine.

“We take initiative fraud very seriously,” said Secretary of State Sam Reed. “The initiative and referendum is a constitutional right granted the voters of Washington and we are rigorous in protecting it.”

Sponsors estimated that about 25,000 of their 247,331 signatures came from paid signature solicitors.

Katie Blinn and Shane Hamlin, state elections co-directors, said the questioned signatures were segregated from the other petitions and do not taint the remainder.  The state Elections Division is checking a sample of 7,420 signatures.

On Sunday, 1,248 were scrutinized. Most, 1,130, were accepted.  The rest were rejected because the person is not registered to vote or because the signature did not match.

FAQs and stats from check so far: http://tinyurl.com/8yd9o6h

 

Comment on this story.

COMMENTING RULES: We encourage an open exchange of ideas in our online community, but we ask you to follow our guidelines for respecting community standards. In a nutshell, don't say anything you wouldn't want your mother to read. Please see our FAQ if you have questions or concerns about using Facebook to comment.