Athens County GOP issues release about voting controversy

Following is the news release issued Monday night by Pete Couladis, chair of the Athens County Republican Party, in response to an Ohio University College Democrats' get-out-the-vote e-mail that was circulated earlier on Monday, and stirred a political controversy the day before the Nov. 3 election.


For Immediate Release: Contact:
November 2, 2009 -- Pete Couladis
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Cash for Votes ?


Athens County Republican Party Chair Pete Couladis called on the Athens County Board of Elections and Prosecuting Attorney Dave Warren to investigate an offer by the College Democrats to pay "œ5 bucks !" for voters "œfrom 4th Ward" to come and vote.

"If money was being paid or offered by the College Democrats to college students or anyone else to vote, this is a serious violation of Ohio's election laws. Who was paying the money, was it paid in cash and why do they have to pay students or anyone else to vote ? Maybe the College Democrats received a stimulus check to help get people to vote," Couladis said.

Couladis said someone sent him a copy of the offer, which was posted on the College Democrats' list serve, as well as the Election Journal.