For Immediate Release:
October 12, 2012
For More Information:
Nikki Sheridan
Rumor Buster: Vote by
Phone Scam
Voters
Targeted with False Information on Ability to Vote by Phone
Voters,
especially
seniors, receiving calls and told they can vote by phone
Richmond, VA – The Virginia State Board of Elections (SBE) is aware
that some Virginia voters, particularly older Virginians, are receiving
phone calls from unidentified individuals informing voters that they
can vote over the phone. This information is false. Virginia law does
not permit voting through the telephone. Apart from voting at the polls
on Election Day, eligible Virginians may vote an absentee ballot by
mail or in-person at the registrar’s office or other authorized
satellite location. However, voting cannot be done via the phone,
email, or any other means than absentee voting by mail and in-person
during the absentee voting period or on Election Day.
At this point in time, it is unclear how widespread these calls have
been. However, SBE has received several complaints over the past few
days.
These calls may violate several state and federal laws and the State
Board of Elections will alert appropriate law enforcement authorities
regarding this matter and provide new information if SBE receives
additional voter complaints.
We encourage any voter who receives a call matching this description to
ask for the name, phone number, and organization from where the
individual is calling. We then ask voters to contact the State Board of
Elections at 1-800-552-9745 and provide a staff member with that
information