Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

GOP Mailing Confuses Voters in Swing States

Wrong addresses, missing information muddle absentee ballot forms

By Drew Nelles,  Newser Staff

Posted Sep 18, 2008 7:47 PM CDT

(Newser) – Republican mass mailings have some swing-state residents confused about their voting status, Miller-McCune reports. Mailers with absentee-ballot applications or requests for updated voter-registration records in at least eight states were either missing information or organized confusingly, which could lead to discounted votes or registration errors.

In Pennsylvania, GOP mailings encouraged residents to vote by absentee ballot, without explaining that state law requires a valid reason for voters to do so. Elsewhere, mailings have directed voters to send ballots to incorrect addresses—sometimes in other states. It’s not clear whether these inaccuracies were deliberate. “We have a large elderly population,” one Florida Democrat said. “These folks, when they get a letter like this, it's very confusing at the very least.”

Republican presidential candidate John McCain greets supporters in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, today.
Republican presidential candidate John McCain greets supporters in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, today.   (AP Photo)
Republican presidential candidate John McCain addresses supporters in Grand Rapids, Mich., yesterday.
Republican presidential candidate John McCain addresses supporters in Grand Rapids, Mich., yesterday.   (AP Photo)
The Republican Party has mailed out confusing voter information in several swing states, Miller-McCune reports.
The Republican Party has mailed out confusing voter information in several swing states, Miller-McCune reports.   (Shutterstock)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
A snapshot of the day's best news stories.
 
COMMENTS
Be the first to comment on this story.

More Newser Stories

Ohio Must Check Voter Registrations: Court

Swing States Will Face Voting Glitches: Report

Recount Bares Flaws in Minn. Absentee System

Foreclosed Homeowners May Lose Voting Rights

Obama Hopes to Find Southern Comfort in Va.


NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   Betty Confidential   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   Fark   |   Timelines   |   The Frisky   |   Geek Sugar   |   NewsOne