Published: October 10, 2008 11:18 pm         

‘It’s a felony’ to falsify voter registration

According to State Election Board Secretary Michael Clingman, Oklahomans don’t have to worry about fraudulent voter registration. At least, not worry that it would actually change an election.

“It would be such a conspiracy to register enough people (to change) the results of an election,” said Clingman.

While that may be true, Clingman said there is nothing currently in place to stop anyone who might register “their dead grandma” or any other person who cannot legally vote.

“It’s very hard to stop (the people who) just do it for fun,” said Clingman. “There’s nothing to stop them from doing that.”

Clingman said what may stop people from voter fraud is the fact it is illegal.

“It’s a felony,” said Clingman. “You can go to jail for it.”

When asked about the group ACORN (Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now) who lately has been in the news for allegedly registering fraudulent voters, Clingman does not believe the allegations hold water.

“This issue has been kind of a tough one because there is no evidence,” said Clingman.

According to Clingman, after the first allegations from ACORN came to light, the Republican party latched onto the idea and made the allegations in other states.

ACORN’s “Project Vote” is a program with the goal of registering voters across the country.

According to ACORN’s Web site “ACORN has helped more than 1.68 million citizens register to vote in past registration drives leading up to the 2004 and 2006 elections. For the 2008 election ACORN intends to help 1.2 million people register to vote in 26 states across the country.”

For any answers on the ACORN issue, Clingman said, “Call ACORN ... and ask them if they are registering fraudulent voters.”

ACORN has released a statement saying the ACORN staff reviews every application submitted and makes up to three phone calls attempting to reach each voter on the registration cards.

ACORN currently is facing investigations in more than 10 states concerning fraudulent voter registration.

Clingman said there is one issue Oklahoma finds when it comes to groups that register large groups of voters.

“ Our frustration is . . . making sure the voter registration drives get them in on time,” said Clingman. “These are the real logistical problems.”

As far as voter registration goes for 2008, many Oklahomans are making sure they will be able to vote this November.

“It’s huge,” said Clingman. “We’re getting 8,000 to 10,000 a day.”

All new registrations must have been postmarked by Oct. 10, and election board across the state will be putting those names into the system.

“We’ll probably have another 20,000 registrations in the next week,” said Clingman.

Clingman said voter registration is up from two years ago but, as of Oct. 1, down from four years ago.