Residents Report Concerns About Possible Voter "Scam"

Responding to reports that prospective voters have been approached by an organization inviting them to "vote online," Town Clerk Claudia Weber said the outreach campaign is not quite a "scam," but some of the information being offered is not completely accurate.

"People have been stopping into the office to express concern over telephone calls that they've received in which they are directed to a website where they believe they're being told they can vote online," Weber told Patch.

She said Rep. John Hetherington, the registrar of voters and Republican Campaign Headquarters have received similar calls from concerned residents.

Weber said the callers identify themselves as part of The Legacy Foundation. They direct prospective voters to a password protected website for an organization called Democracy Depends on You! 

"Once they get onto the site, they're actually invited to request an application for an absentee ballot," Weber said.  Applying for an absentee ballot is legal. Weber says the problem is the language on the site.

With a password provided by the caller, prospective voters see the following message:

As you know, our Democracy depends on Americans from every part of our great country exercising their right to vote. Few elections have generated the enthusiasm of the election to be held this November 2nd.

 For a multitude of reasons, you can avoid the long lines at the polls and vote early from the comfort of your own home. 

 Download and complete your application for absentee voting now.

"There are only certain reasons to vote by absentee," Weber said. "Wanting to avoid lines is not one of them. You can vote by absentee ballot if you are going to be absent during voting hours, bcause of illness or physical disability, if you are in service in the armed forces, if your religion forbids secular activity on that day, or if your required performance as an election official precludes you from getting to your polling place to vote."

Patch was shown the Democracy Depends on You! website homepage, which provides no address or phone number. The site says it is "Paid for by the Alliance for America's Future – not affiliated with LongDistanceVoter.com". 

The Alliance for America's Future homepage says its mission is "dedicated to educating and advocating sound economic and security policies that will foster growth, prosperity, and peace for America's future."

There is no further information about or access to the website.

Weber said anyone with questions about absentee voting procedures should call the Town Clerk's office at 203-594-3070.