Local Party Chairmen Assure Voters Of Election Integrity
November 1, 2016 at 5:26 p.m.
By Dan [email protected]
Republican Michael Ragan and Democrat David Kolbe issued the statement Monday in hopes of easing growing tensions amid talk of “rigged” election results by Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump and some concerns over the potential for Election Day violence.
“It is critical that the election be free and fair and that every lawful voter’s choices be counted. We as your party leaders, along with our clerk and election board members, have endeavored to ensure the process is sound and reliable in this county,” the statement said.
“We encourage everyone to vote and respect the right for all to vote,” the statement added.
While the statement makes no reference to the presidential race between Trump and Democrat Hillary Clinton, it calls next Tuesday’s vote “historic” and one that involves “leaders with “clearly distinct beliefs.”
Ragan said this morning he was asked by Kolbe to participate in the statement and said he doesn’t have any specific concerns. He said he agreed to issue the statement as a goodwill gesture.
“I don’t have concerns about Election Day in Kosciusko County. I hear these concerns in other parts of the country,” Ragan said.
He did point out that Kosciusko County was one of about 50 counties identified in an investigation of an Indianapolis group involving potential voter fraud.
Ragan said he’s unsure why Kosciusko County was included in that investigation.
“My only concern is that somebody’s concerned, but I don’t know the specifics,” Ragan said.
County Clerk Ann Torpy said they have received no new information on the investigation that began several weeks ago.
She said her staff reviewed the voter rolls and found nothing out of the ordinary.
She also noted that the machines are not internet-based, which prevents any sense of hacking.
Asked about Trump’s talk of rigged elections, Ragan said it’s an apparent issue in some areas of the county.
“I don’t think that’s a problem here,” Ragan said, noting that some places, like Chicago, have had a history of voter fraud involving “votes” cast by people who are known to be dead.
“We do a pretty good job when somebody dies notifying the clerks’ offices throughout the state that that person should be taken off the voter rolls so nobody can vote in their stead,” Ragan said.
Kolbe was unavailable for comment Tuesday morning, but two weeks ago he posted a statement on his Facebook page urging poll workers to use caution and vigilance on Election Day.
On the Facebook post, he warned election workers to be on the lookout for “observers” near precinct entrances who exhibit “any degree of intimidation” and said they should be reported immediately.
“As some of you know, Trump is encouraging the presence of so-called observers and has been laying hints of violence for some time. Trump supporters are now speaking openly about violence if the election does not turn their way. Things are not looking to turn out their way,” Kolbe’s post read.
Torpy said a handful of people have asked about suggestions of rigged elections. She said she feels confident of good results because of the type of voting machines used in Kosciusko County.
Regardless, they are hearing concerns.
“We try our best to make them feel comfortable with our voting system in Kosciusko County,” Torpy said.
On a distantly related note, Ragan said he has contacted the state Republican Party over concerns about the planned parking of a Democrat tour bus that will be in Warsaw Thursday. Kolbe announced last week that a bus bringing gubernatorial candidate John Gregg and other state candidates, and campaign staff will be parked outside the justice building across from the courthouse.
Ragan questioned the choice of parking because the entrance for voting early in the justice building is along the side of the justice building where the bus plans to park.
He said he thinks it would be better if the bus parked on one of three other sides of the courthouse, which is across the street from the justice building.
Republican Michael Ragan and Democrat David Kolbe issued the statement Monday in hopes of easing growing tensions amid talk of “rigged” election results by Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump and some concerns over the potential for Election Day violence.
“It is critical that the election be free and fair and that every lawful voter’s choices be counted. We as your party leaders, along with our clerk and election board members, have endeavored to ensure the process is sound and reliable in this county,” the statement said.
“We encourage everyone to vote and respect the right for all to vote,” the statement added.
While the statement makes no reference to the presidential race between Trump and Democrat Hillary Clinton, it calls next Tuesday’s vote “historic” and one that involves “leaders with “clearly distinct beliefs.”
Ragan said this morning he was asked by Kolbe to participate in the statement and said he doesn’t have any specific concerns. He said he agreed to issue the statement as a goodwill gesture.
“I don’t have concerns about Election Day in Kosciusko County. I hear these concerns in other parts of the country,” Ragan said.
He did point out that Kosciusko County was one of about 50 counties identified in an investigation of an Indianapolis group involving potential voter fraud.
Ragan said he’s unsure why Kosciusko County was included in that investigation.
“My only concern is that somebody’s concerned, but I don’t know the specifics,” Ragan said.
County Clerk Ann Torpy said they have received no new information on the investigation that began several weeks ago.
She said her staff reviewed the voter rolls and found nothing out of the ordinary.
She also noted that the machines are not internet-based, which prevents any sense of hacking.
Asked about Trump’s talk of rigged elections, Ragan said it’s an apparent issue in some areas of the county.
“I don’t think that’s a problem here,” Ragan said, noting that some places, like Chicago, have had a history of voter fraud involving “votes” cast by people who are known to be dead.
“We do a pretty good job when somebody dies notifying the clerks’ offices throughout the state that that person should be taken off the voter rolls so nobody can vote in their stead,” Ragan said.
Kolbe was unavailable for comment Tuesday morning, but two weeks ago he posted a statement on his Facebook page urging poll workers to use caution and vigilance on Election Day.
On the Facebook post, he warned election workers to be on the lookout for “observers” near precinct entrances who exhibit “any degree of intimidation” and said they should be reported immediately.
“As some of you know, Trump is encouraging the presence of so-called observers and has been laying hints of violence for some time. Trump supporters are now speaking openly about violence if the election does not turn their way. Things are not looking to turn out their way,” Kolbe’s post read.
Torpy said a handful of people have asked about suggestions of rigged elections. She said she feels confident of good results because of the type of voting machines used in Kosciusko County.
Regardless, they are hearing concerns.
“We try our best to make them feel comfortable with our voting system in Kosciusko County,” Torpy said.
On a distantly related note, Ragan said he has contacted the state Republican Party over concerns about the planned parking of a Democrat tour bus that will be in Warsaw Thursday. Kolbe announced last week that a bus bringing gubernatorial candidate John Gregg and other state candidates, and campaign staff will be parked outside the justice building across from the courthouse.
Ragan questioned the choice of parking because the entrance for voting early in the justice building is along the side of the justice building where the bus plans to park.
He said he thinks it would be better if the bus parked on one of three other sides of the courthouse, which is across the street from the justice building.
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