Fake ballot drop boxes have been appearing around Southern California over the past couple of weeks, and now the state’s Republican Party is accused of having put up the boxes in violation of election law, according to The Washington Post:
“’Doing my part and voting early,’ Jordan Tygh wrote in the now-deleted tweet, which was reviewed by The Washington Post before it was removed. “DM me for convenient locations to drop your ballot off at!”
“But those containers, which were first reported by the Orange County Register and KCAL, are not county-authorized ballot drop-off sites. In fact, the unofficial boxes are against the law, state officials said Sunday.”
California Secretary of State Alex Padilla, says his office is investigating the fake drop boxes:
“Operating unofficial ballot drop boxes — especially those misrepresented as official drop boxes — is not just misleading to voters, it’s a violation of state law.My office is coordinating with local officials to address the multiple reports of unauthorized ballot drop boxes. Californians should only use official ballot drop boxes that have been deployed and secured by their county elections office.”
The state GOP tweeted out a defense of its drop boxes:
If a congregation/business or other group provides the option to its parishioners/associates/ or colleagues to drop off their ballot in a safe location, with people they trust, rather than handing it over to a stranger who knocks on their door – what is wrong with that?
— CAGOP (@CAGOP) October 11, 2020
Republicans in Fresno said the boxes had been deployed over fear that mail-in ballots might not be safe, a frequent refrain from President Donald Trump. Announcing its deployment of fake drop off ballot boxes, the Fresno GOP wrote:
“CONSERVATIVE VOTER ALERT! President Trump is very concerned about the lack of security with mail in ballots. Don’t take a chance that your vote will not be counted. Once your ballot arrives in the mail, mark your ballot completely and then walk it in, as soon as possible, to one of the secure locations listed below. Make sure your vote counts!”
Featured Image Via Screenshot
