While it may not be likely, Clay Aiken could actually be prosecuted over voting in last month's school board election.
As noted in today's aricle by Josh Shaffer, the Wake County Board of Elections will hold a hearing on Wake GOP Chairman Claude Pope's challenge of Aiken's voter registration status. Although Pope's press release says they're not seeking punitive action against Aiken, that might not matter.
The Wake Board of Elections will first decide whether Aiken should still be registered to vote in the county. They'll ask Aiken questions such as where his pets spend the night and where he goes to sleep at night.
At issue is whether Aiken, who has a home in Chatham County, can legally vote in Wake. State Board of Elections records show he voted last month using his mother's North Raleigh address.
The still-to-be-scheduled hearing will likely turn into a zoo with all the media present.
The county Board can also choose to refer the matter to the state Board of Elections for an investigation. The state Board can then decide whether to refer it to the District Attorney for prosecution.
Wake Board of Elections Director Cherie Poucher said she had been bracing for a challenge since last week's story about Aiken's comments on the school board election.
Poucher said she was contacted by both Pope and Dallas Woodhouse, director of the state chapter of the conservative Americans for Prosperity, about how to challenge a person's voter status.
It was Pope who came in Friday afternoon to file the official complaint.
Comments
Good 'Ole #2 has really stepped in it this time
Sun, 11/22/2009 - 00:11 — BlawgDawgThis is quite hilarious. Maybe his excuse will be that ACORN registered him.
OT-alert AG Funding
Sat, 11/21/2009 - 16:25 — AngelaWAs the economy has tanked, some states are shifting money away from gifted programs to help balance their budgets. The report shows that 13 states — more than half of the 23 that actually fund gifted education — made such cuts in 2008-09
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/34080235/ns/us_news-education//
Disparities among Wake County Schools
Sun, 11/22/2009 - 00:30 — MomknowsbestNo need to look further for disparities. Just compare the "haves" and "have-nots" in AG education with magnets and non-magnets in WCPSS.
No worries
Sat, 11/21/2009 - 20:35 — red_balloonWCPSS has education superstars. Head herself opined such.
Two Options - No Winners
Sat, 11/21/2009 - 11:43 — Voice_of_Reason_OPTION ONE - Do nothing except report...People Lose, election system loses
OPTION TWO - Prosecute and give Clay Aiken publicity (albeit bad, but in entertainment all publicity is good)...Clay Aiken wins.
Maybe if this wasn't reported and procescution took place...we all would win.
What is the goal... to stop voter fraud?
Sat, 11/21/2009 - 10:41 — Athey01This has the potential to make all of us seem very small-minded. We have bigger issues to address than a private citizen who voted in the wrong district. Did it change the outcome of the election? Is it worthy of issuing an official complaint? For what great purpose does this serve?
It's called "the law"
Mon, 11/23/2009 - 07:47 — g88ky07If he broke it why shouldn't he get what he deserves! I assure you the public won't miss his next album!
We agree, he broke the law. Unsure what getting what he deserve
Mon, 11/23/2009 - 08:48 — Athey01means. Instead of voting in Chatham County, he voted in Wake County. Instead of voting where he has always voted, he should have voted in the district of his new residence. Therefore, he should be advised that he must vote in Chatham County or move his permanent residence to Wake County.
In my opinion, justice is properly served, when we use a little common sense, within the confines of the law. When I read Mr. Pope's well-written press release, his focus was to make this a learning experience, rather than seeking a punitive active.
"Did it change the outcome
Sun, 11/22/2009 - 11:08 — woodstock"Did it change the outcome of the election?"
I don't know, did it? Tedesco missed winning outright on the Oct. 6 by 37 votes and Jennifer Robinson missed it by only 3. Did voter fraud make the difference? It is certainly possible. It is not difficult to imagine that others along with Aiken were motivated to maintain the status quo and were willing to do whatever was necessary to cast a vote.
And
Sun, 11/22/2009 - 12:32 — supportwcpssIt is not difficult to imagine that other who were motivated to make a change were willing to do whatever was necessary to cast a vote.
I am glad to see that you
Sun, 11/22/2009 - 16:58 — woodstockI am glad to see that you agree that voter fraud should be investigated when it comes to light. We know Aiken did, so your point again is...???
If so....
Sun, 11/22/2009 - 13:58 — Bob_SconceThen, all the more reason to be vigilent in ensuring the fairness of the election. No person on either side should be able to vote when they're not entitled to. Any person who did should be held accountable.
Are you suggesting that Clay Aiken was part of a conspiracy
Sun, 11/22/2009 - 12:02 — Athey01to maintain the status quo? I'm just asking. Seriously, the election is over. Mr Tedesco has won. Let's all move forward and focus on making positive changes to our educational system.
Conspiracy? I don't know
Sun, 11/22/2009 - 17:06 — woodstockConspiracy? I don't know what you mean by that, but he was clearly a proponent of the status quo, he insulted the newly elected members and he cast an illegal vote.
Integrity
Sat, 11/21/2009 - 12:03 — Bob_SconceCan't you say the same thing about drunk drivers who are pulled over even though they didn't hurt anybody?
Prosecuting him sends the message that we take the integrity of our elections seriously and prevents other people from trying to do the same thing.
This is
Sat, 11/21/2009 - 12:31 — supportwcpsspolitical posturing by the GOP, plain and simple. Stop making it something else and call it what it is.
SupportWCPSS
Sun, 11/22/2009 - 10:20 — Voice_of_Reason_What goes through your mind? You obviously see things in clouded glasses. It is OK to commit voter fraud if the person voted your way. It is OK to waste taxpayer money to have a chance (albeit small) to rig an election. It is not OK to spend taxpayer money to prosecute a crime.... And it is impossible to agree with the GOP on anything. Well you and people like you are ruining this country; we are all going to pay the price for that type of thinking very soon. You really need to take the view you might be wrong. I know I do, and you know what?...I wish I was a lot of the time.
Huh?
Sun, 11/22/2009 - 12:30 — supportwcpssNot sure I can process your random stream of disconnected thoughts. I don't believe I ever said it was okay to commit voter fraud. I think Clay Aiken is an idiot.
If the GOP is really interested in cutting down on voter fraud I would like to see their plan for identifying, investigating, and prosecuting others. Why did this case suddenly come to the forefront? Could it have something to with the fact that it involved the hot topic issues surrounding the school system. I'm not disagreeing with the fact that Mr. Aiken should be investigated (even though I am curious how much time and money is spent on it), but it's so obvious that the GOP is not interesting in dealing with voter fraud. I rarely agree with the GOP or the Dems. I think the party system is what is 'ruining' this country.
And accusing someone else of 'ruining' the country when you really know very little shows your ignorance and narrow minded view. Ha - So you take the view but you're still never wrong.
If the GOP is really
Sun, 11/22/2009 - 19:49 — gwaihirIf the GOP is really interested in cutting down on voter fraud I would like to see their plan for identifying, investigating, and prosecuting others. Why did this case suddenly come to the forefront?
==========
I recommend you google ACORN and voter fraud, to find stories of vote fraud allegations and investigations. Here is an article to start you off, from the WSJ, dated 2006. As you can see from that 2006 dating, non-Democrats have not just now become concerned about voter fraud. They've been concerned for a few years.
I don't think it is surprising that voter fraud is a hot button topic currently, in view of these ACORN stories.
http://www.opinionjournal.com/editorial/feature.html?id=110009189
Interest in eliminating
Mon, 11/23/2009 - 16:54 — CaryCurmudgeonInterest in eliminating voter fraud is nothing new for the GOP. For years, the GOP has pushed for legislation which would require voters to show a drivers license or other valid form of ID. Requiring ID would not have prevented Mr. Aikin from voting, but it would reduce most of the voting fraud we have today.
Without an ID requirement, it is just too easy for people to vote multiple times, or to have ineligible voters cast ballots that are counted.
The Wake GOP
Mon, 11/23/2009 - 11:10 — Jeff_morseThe Wake County Republican Party, did not make Clayton H. Aiken Vote in 2008 and 2009 in wake county! The Wake County Republican Party did not Create this problem that Clay is in.
Just Read the www.wakegop.org front page item #2
2.) Personal Responsibility – we all need to take “ownership” of our own lives, our decisions, and the consequences of those decisions, rather than relying on our government to make these decisions for us, or bailing us out from our own bad judgment."
need I say more?
This is a major issue with the two parties The Republicans agree with this statement I'm not sure what the democrats position is on this. I only can read the headlines to guess......
Well
Sun, 11/22/2009 - 17:36 — Voice_of_Reason_I can't agree Clay Aiken is an idiot, I can say he is most likely a criminal. But, we can agree this shouldn't be getting the media play it has.
As far as voter fraud, the Dems have made it so easy in this state and others, I don't think the GOP has a chance to improve the situation, we all are the losers here. I was shocked that anyone in this state can go online and get all the information need to go to a poll and vote in someone else's name . No ID, no voter card...nothing ! ....ALL in the name of voter rights.
I do agree the party system is a problem, but I think the "deed" may already been done. I think the progressive movement in both parties have ruined the founder's intent for this country. I fear for the future. I didn't say you individually were ruining this country, it's your way of thinking. You have made one incorrect judgement, I am not narrow minded, if I was I would never try to see the other point of view...something I always try to do even if I disagree at a visceral level. I am a person of principals though, IMHO that's not narrow minded. If it is ...so be it.
Perhaps
Sat, 11/21/2009 - 15:18 — Bob_SconceBut, so what? Their motives don't change the fact that Aiken voted in a district where he wasn't entitled to vote, or the fact that it should be investigated.
Heck, I was considering filing the challenge myself -- the Wake GOP just beat me to it. Are you going to claim that I would have been political posturing as well?
It happens to be a "private
Sat, 11/21/2009 - 11:05 — concerned2It happens to be a "private citizen" with a very public bully pulpit. Regardless, when did we turn into a society that turns a blind eye when the law is broken? Isn't justice supposed to be blind?
We cringe when celebrities brag before our children about their bad lifestyles, but when the very underpinning of our republic is shaken we're supposed to let it go? Who cares if it would or would not change the election? Wrong is wrong!
Since Mr. Aiken brought this to public attention, how many more voters would say, "What's the use, my vote doesn't count anyway. After all, that Aiken character can vote in an election he's not supposed to." The only way to preserve your trust in your own vote is to correct every instance that is known - whether it's Mr. Aiken or John Doe.
Wow
Sat, 11/21/2009 - 12:30 — supportwcpssA week doesn't go by that I can't call hypocrite on this board. I know I overuse the term but it fits so often.
You slam Cathy for 'wasting' taxpayer money by wanting a runoff and then you want to spend taxpayer money to tackle one person whose vote was irrelevant.
Typical of this group.
Pfft...
Sat, 11/21/2009 - 15:26 — Bob_SconceDo you have any reason to believe that this will cost a dime of taxpayer money? The Board of Elections all draw salaries, as does the District Attorney. They are already getting paid to do these things. I'm guessing that the total cost will be on the order of $50. The process for challenging a voter's registration is very straight-forward.
In the case of Truitt's run-off, there were costs involved in opening voting places, printing ballots, paying people to man the polls, etc...
Am I confused???
Sat, 11/21/2009 - 10:16 — nancyncTo quote from the article:
"Wake Board of Elections Director Cherie Poucher said she had been bracing for a challenge since last week's story about Aiken's comments on the school board election."
Is it not the duty of the Wake Board of Elections to investigate potential voter fraud without someone having to bring a challenge? If she read about it, why didn't she research his voting record and clear the matter herself?
What IS her job???
Poucher said a registered
Sat, 11/21/2009 - 10:34 — KeungHui (author)Poucher said a registered voter has to file a challenge first before they investigate.
Is it just me
Sat, 11/21/2009 - 07:58 — Dadof3Are you also confused how much coverage this is getting? This must be Clay's biggest win since making the #2 spot.
interesting...
Sat, 11/21/2009 - 12:27 — supportwcpssI can't stand him but given his track record, record sales, broadway run, and other money generating activities, I think your comment sounds somewhat like sour grapes.
"...I think your comment
Sat, 11/21/2009 - 18:57 — woodstock"...I think your comment sounds somewhat like sour grapes."
So says the Queen of Sour Grapes. LOL
I don't think it is
Sat, 11/21/2009 - 09:02 — woodstockI don't think it is confusing, I think it is a very legitimate issue. For example, Cary Town Council candidate Jennifer Robinson was just 3 votes shy of wining her race outright against multiple candidates. This a perfect example of the importance of every last vote. We must mainitain integrity in the system and ensure each vote is legitimate.
In Robinson's case, the lack of only 3 votes forced her into the a run-off. This required additional time, money and effort on her part and on the part of ther support team. If this was in any way the result of voter fraud, most would agree it is unacceptable.
When you are in the public eye, perks are often available to you. But, with the perks comes scrutiny. Aiken invited increased scrutiny when he mouthed off about things he knows very little about and insulted people of integrity are devoting their time and energy to bring positive change to the Wake County school system.
We have A Winner
Sat, 11/21/2009 - 10:12 — Jeff_morseBINGO...... You hit the nail on the head.
"This is a perfect
Sat, 11/21/2009 - 09:16 — belwood"This is a perfect example.................................each vote is ligitimate." Bullseye!!!