Contact: Raj Bharwani (202) 225-5101

Washington, DC, Oct 8, 2004 -  Earlier today, Menomonee Falls Congressman Jim Sensenbrenner sent letters to the District Attorneys of Jefferson, Milwaukee, Ozaukee, Washington and Waukesha Counties, regarding recent accounts of voter fraud in Wisconsin. A copy of the letter to Milwaukee County District Attorney E. Michael McCann is enclosed below.

According to media reports, last month, two individuals employed by the national group Project Vote, Robert Marquise Blakely and Lucretia Ann Griffin, were implicated in suspicious voter registration applications in Milwaukee and Racine Counties. According to the Racine County Clerk’s office, approximately 20% of Project Votes’ submissions were problematic as scores of applications contained bogus addresses, and in some cases, applications were signed by people who had never been contacted. In addition, the Milwaukee Elections Commission has requested an investigation into twenty-one suspicious voter registration applications for Milwaukee County.

“Project Vote’s irresponsible hiring practices have undermined the integrity of one of the most important responsibilities we have as citizens,” said Sensenbrenner. “Most of us still remember the ‘votes for smokes’ controversy in Milwaukee four years ago, when an Al Gore supporter allegedly handed out cigarettes to Milwaukee’s homeless for their votes. This is another poke in our eyes, and it is unacceptable in a state that takes such matters very seriously.”

“My letters to the District Attorneys are a follow-up to a request for an investigation by election officials from Milwaukee County,” Sensenbrenner continued, “and a heads-up to the other counties’ District Attorneys to keep an eye out for any sign of voter fraud. I hope this is handled expeditiously so that come November 2, Wisconsinites can cast their vote confidently, knowing that their state has done all it can to ensure a fair outcome in all the races.”

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Letter to the Milwaukee County District Attorney:

October 8, 2004

Mr. E. Michael McCann
District Attorney
Office of the District Attorney
821 West State Street
Safety Building, Room 405
Milwaukee, WI 53233

Dear Mr. McCann:

A large number of my constituents have contacted me concerning recent widespread accounts of voter fraud in Milwaukee County, which is why I write to you today.

Our current election system must be carefully reviewed. Given the controversies surrounding the 2000 presidential election, it is essential that we ensure future elections do not follow this unfortunate course. This is especially true in Wisconsin, considering the 2000 “votes for smokes” controversy in Milwaukee, where a supporter of Democratic presidential candidate Al Gore allegedly exchanged cigarettes for the votes of some of Milwaukee’s homeless.

I understand that the Milwaukee Elections Commission has requested that you investigate twenty-one suspicious voter registration applications. This request follows reports that the non-profit voter registration group, Project Vote, purportedly filed fraudulent voter registration applications prior to the September 14, 2004, primary in Racine County. Among the suspect applications were at least seven unauthorized voter registration forms. While I was pleased to learn that Project Vote fired its Racine and Kenosha employees, these instances of potential voter fraud in both counties must be thoroughly investigated.

I encourage you to expeditiously complete a meticulous investigation to eliminate voter fraud in Milwaukee County and allow for fair elections on Election Day.

Sincerely,

F. JAMES SENSENBRENNER, JR.
Member of Congress