Official College Dem response to voter-fraud allegations

This is a copy of a news release tonight from Chris Mullen, communication director of the Ohio University College Democrats. He is responding to local and OU Republicans' official request that the College Dems be investigated for possible voter fraud.

November 2, 2009
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:
Chris Mullen, Communications Director
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Statement on False Claims Made about College Democrats

The Ohio University College Democrats wish to set the record straight regarding
false reports now circulating about supposed misconduct in connection with a
get-out-the-vote effort.

The OU College Democrats have absolutely not been involved in any voter
registration misconduct. The group does work hard to get students involved in
elections, but we hold ourselves to the strictest ethical standards in doing so.
To be specific:

1) No member of our organization has ever paid a voter to vote.
2) No member has ever accepted money for his or her own vote.

Any implication that any member of our organization has been involved with
paying voters is false, unfounded and potentially libelous, as it incorrectly
asserts illegal activity on the part of the College Democrats. These kinds of
assertions, reported by the media, have no factual basis, and are based on
statements misunderstood and taken out of context.

The GOTV program that has triggered the false reports was an effort by the
Athens County Democratic Party to compensate volunteers financially for their
time spent canvassing. This program was sponsored by the County Democratic
Party, and was not originated by the College Democrats. The OU College Democrats
have not raised or spent any money to pay volunteers. To date in this election
cycle, no member of the group has received a dime for his or her canvassing work.

Any questions about the program should be directed to the chair of the Athens
County Democratic Party, Susan Gwinn. Due to the misperceptions of the program,
and questions that have been raised, the Ohio University College Democrats have
decided that under no circumstances will we have any future involvement in such
a program.

Members of Ohio University College Democrats want to emphasize in the strongest
possible terms that no member of our group has EVER paid a voter, or accepted
money for his or her own vote, and never will. Furthermore, no member of the
Ohio University College Democrats has received compensation, or will receive
compensation, through the Athens County Democratic Party ’s program.