Consultant to RW AZ candidates solicits early ballot requests then stalls

[havocmom]

the delivery of them to election officials, making it possible that many will not get to vote in Tuesday's AZ primary. Wonder where else this might be taking place.

http://www.dailystar.com/dailystar/news/37447.php

<snip> PHOENIX - A Phoenix political consultant, who makes part of his living helping conservative Republican candidates win seats in the Legislature, has run afoul of state election laws, a judge ruled.

<snip> Most disturbing to the Maricopa County GOP officials who sued Querard was his withholding of early ballot requests from thousands of voters. Some, they fear, may not get to vote in the Tuesday primary.

<snip> Querard solicited early ballot requests from registered voters but didn't turn them over to the county in a timely manner, the judge ruled. Some of the voters may since have moved, or be in the military or college, and may not get the ballot and return it before Tuesday.</>

Seems he was busy mining the request forms for info he could sell instead of turning them in in a timely manner. Turned in 9000 requests in one week in August. Many dated from June and July!

<snip> Attorney Tom Ryan, who sued for the Republicans, said Querard held onto the ballot requests "so he could mine the data and sell it" to his candidates so they could send mailers and target those voters, while other candidates couldn't. </>

There is concern about what info and requests he may not have turned in.

Gotta wonder how many voters think they are gonna get an absentee ballot, early ballot or even that they are registered when, in fact, some political operative has hoodwinked them and assured they won't be voting come November. A big turnout has got to be Rove's worst fear.

[saracat]

1. Man Oh Man is this bad for us AZ Dems!

zzzi was out getting early ballot requests for the General and this story will really make people distrust us. Hell, I'd distrust me! And we need that turnout. Damn. I'll bet this was on purpose.

[LiberalFighter]

3. There probably a law that prohibits a voter receiving more than one

application.

In Michigan or Ohio they have a law that prohibits a voter from voting at the polling place if they requested an absentee ballot application even if they didn't send in a ballot.

[havocmom]

4. You bet it was on purpose. He mined for info, sold it to HIS clients and

made sure a lot of people won't get to vote!

Glad the judge slapped him down, but yes, it will make it harder for others out there trying to get the voters moving.

I suppose the dead will be voting this year too.

[A_Possum]

2. I went to the county elections office to register and request absentee

For just that reason. I want as few people between me and my registration as possible. Handed it to the guy and saw him enter it into the computer.