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Voter Fraud Signs at Polls Lead to Complaint

Advocacy group offers $1,000 reward for voter fraud tips. Critics call it a form of intimidation.

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EASTON - Signs offering a $1,000 reward for information leading to voter fraud convictions have popped up around Easton.

At the South Side Senior Center, Mark Willis -- constable for the 10th ward -- thought they were inappropriate. After consulting with the elections attorney on site, Willis yanked it out of the ground.

"It's something that might be intimidating or considered intimidating, to dissaude voters from coming in and placing their votes," Willis said.

The signs -- which were also spotted at the Easton Area Neighborhood Center -- were made up by a group called Pennsylvania Commercial Action Network.

PACAN, which describes itself as a non-profit and non-partisan business advocacy group, has also placed "Replace Obamacare" billboards around the state.

"Doing the right thing by reporting election fraud, which hurts everyone, is a civic responsibility that comes with its own reward," PACAN says on its website. "But, we'd like to let individuals know that there are folks out there who will support you and are very thankful you are willing to come forward, because not everyone will."

The Express-Times notes that Easton area Democratic activist Joe Welsh has filed a formal complaint over the signs with Northampton County. Tom Harp, the county's director of administration, told the Express that judges of election would remove any signs they encountered.

"We are aware of them," Harp said. "Regular signs are permissible but that one in particular does kind of cross the line."

gabriela.dumitrescu@aol.com November 6, 2012 at 06:27 pm
I thought that happened just in my country ....
Ed Eardley November 6, 2012 at 06:31 pm
Of course the Democrats dont like it...If it wasn't for fraud they wouldn't win very many elections. Offended by signs that post the laws of our county? I think that I'm offended by Speed Limit signs...I'm going to rip them all out.
Dana Grubb November 6, 2012 at 07:18 pm
Oh come on Ed, what facts do you have that democratic candidates win all elections by fraudulent means and republicans don't. It's this kind of crap that continues to divide America and give credence to the idealogical hyperbole that ruins rather then supports genuine efforts to do the right thing in society. Sorry, but this blanket pronouncement holds no water.
Buonsenso November 6, 2012 at 07:31 pm
Did Joe Welsh also file a formal complaint over the Black Pride sweatshirt the constable is wearing? He surely thinks that's just as intimidating doesn't he??
CLK November 6, 2012 at 08:20 pm
Please give us clear percise examples of your made up voting fraud by Deomcrats. You can use Faux entertaiment news a a crediable source. I forgot you can find any. This is what your part does. http://www.plunderbund.com/2012/11/05/true-the-vote-forged-signatures-to-get-observers-at-ohio-polls/
You have no evidence. You fail.
CLK November 6, 2012 at 08:21 pm
I meant to say you can't use Faux entertainment news because it's not a crediable source.
Bruce McIlhaney November 6, 2012 at 09:35 pm
too much Fox so called news
Nived1012 November 7, 2012 at 01:24 am
I just watched three people be denied the right to vote because they had no ID-10th DIST at west Moravian church
allison November 7, 2012 at 01:41 am
That needs to be reported.
Tom Coombe (Editor) November 7, 2012 at 01:57 am
Nived, can you e-mail me at tom.coombe@patch.com?
Nived1012 November 7, 2012 at 03:42 am
I called WFMZ and they said "we'll have to look into that, thank you". Unbelievable. Mind you this was the third polling place I was at since I couldn't be found in their books elsewhere. Finally after sitting on hold for 25minutes with Lehigh county at 730pm(polls closed in 1/2 hr) I was told to try Northampton because my registration was "cancelled" In Lehigh. Ultimately I was able to vote at the next stop. However I was appalled (at the West Moravian church) to see a women (3rd person that night) turned away by the church volunteer when she said she had no ID. I loudly told him that was illegal to do and he said no. I began walking out telling others and he said I was wrong. Completely disheartening to see such confusion and human error in this century of e-taxes and "there's an app for that". How 'bout letting people vote online!!!!
Fia Feller November 7, 2012 at 11:01 pm
Thank you Mark Willis for filling a formal complaint about the voter fraud signs, I saw two of them outside the neighborhood center on Easton's South Side and was appalled. The seemed designed to make people afraid and concerned (about a non-issue) rather than proud and engaged while voting.
Fia Feller November 8, 2012 at 09:20 pm
Meant to say...thank you Mark Willis for removing the signs and Joe Welsh for filiing a formal complaint. I wonder if there was a constable and poll watchers at the Easton Area Neighborhood Association?
Buonsenso November 10, 2012 at 01:14 pm
When you move to a new residence and go to vote at a new polling place for the first time, you are REQUIRED to show proper ID before you can vote. It's a law that has been in place for decades. You simply over-reacted and tried to make a story out of nothing.

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