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Election officials warn of ‘misleading’ mailers circulating in our area

Posted at 6:50 PM, Sep 21, 2016
and last updated 2016-09-21 18:50:16-04

RICHMOND, Va. -- At least two different organizations are mailing letters to Virginia voters that suggest the voter's registration status is in question, according to the Virginia Department of Elections.  Officials urge voters to ignore all letters from outside groups if they contradict official records.

"Similar letters have been sent by at least two separate organizations – America’s Future, Inc. and the Voter Participation Center.  Letters sent by these organizations have reportedly been addressed to individuals who were already properly registered, are not qualified to register at the mailing address used, or are deceased," said Edgardo Cortes, Commissioner of the Virginia Department of Elections.  "Although these letters include our street address and contact information, these letters did not come from the Department and are not official election mail.

A copy of one of the letters.

A copy of one of the letters.

Chesterfield registrar Larry Haake said his offices has heard from several residents who received the misleading mail, and added that one of the members of their electoral board got one.

Misleading election mailers during a Presidential election cycle is nothing new, according to Haake.  He said he confronted a member of group circulating inaccurate data during the 2012 election.

"I told him that the data they were sending out was inaccurate, incorrect. He said that they knew that. They deliberately sent out bad to make voters angry so they would participate in the process," Haake said.

Officials said any voter concerned about their registration status can confirm it the Department of Elections' "Citizen Portal" at vote. virginia.gov or by contacting their local registrar.

Chesterfield registrar Larry Haake

Chesterfield registrar Larry Haake

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