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Scam Reported At Polls

Election Officials Say People Trying To Suppress Hispanic Votes

POSTED: 5:46 pm PDT October 30, 2008
UPDATED: 11:08 pm PDT October 30, 2008

There were some problems reported at the early voting polls on Thursday.

Election officials said there is a scam going around involving people trying to stop Hispanic voters from casting their ballots.

Spanish-speaking voters are being called at their homes and told they can vote over the phone, officials said. This is illegal, and no one can vote on the phone.

Activists in the Hispanic community said people have been asked for their personal information and to say who they are supporting. They are then told they can cast their ballot right then and there.

Authorities said it's a deceptive way to prevent voting or to intimidate others from going to the polls.

"Some people think they can vote and have voted, and it's a fraud. It's untrue," said Sen. Harry Reid.

"Particularly among Spanish-speaking voters, they're more hesitant about reporting occurrences of intimidation to authorities," said Andres Ramirez, with Hispanic Programs, NDN.

Officials said they don't know how many people have been affected, but they want victims to come forward.

Analysts said this year is expected to be the highest Hispanic turnout in Nevada history.

There are also a large number of first-time Hispanic voters who don't know how the system works and that they must vote in person.

Voters have the option to vote in Spanish at the polls. There are also Spanish-speaking workers who can help voters.


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