Flyer circulates in Va. spreading voting falsities

October 29, 2008 - 4:09pm

Hank Silverberg, WTOP Radio

RICHMOND, Va. - As Election Day draws near, more rumors and tricks have been reported that could suppress voter turnout.

A flyer has circulated in Virginia with the Board of Elections logo on it, telling Democrats they should vote on Nov. 5 and Republicans on Nov. 4. The flyer cites a special action in the state legislature.

The legislature never took such action and doesn't have the power to change the date of a federal election.

The flyer is totally false, but Board of Elections Spokeswoman Susan Pollard says it appears to be turning up in several parts of the state.

"Originally, it was isolated in the Hampton Roads area earlier this week, but it seems to be spreading to the Northern Virginia area."

Virginia is one of the few states in the country that makes it a crime to spread misinformation about the election process. The law was passed in 2007.

Virginia State Police have opened an investigation into who is circulating the flyer.

The flyer is just the latest in a series of rumors or myths that have cropped up during this election cycle. Another myth circulating claims that police will be arresting anyone with outstanding traffic tickets, parking tickets or warrants when they show up to vote. That is simply not true.

Hank Silverberg, WTOP Radio

RICHMOND, Va. - As Election Day draws near, more rumors and tricks have been reported that could suppress voter turnout.

The legislature never took such action and doesn't have the power to change the date of a federal election.

The flyer is totally false, but Board of Elections Spokeswoman Susan Pollard says it appears to be turning up in several parts of the state.

"Originally, it was isolated in the Hampton Roads area earlier this week, but it seems to be spreading to the Northern Virginia area."

Virginia is one of the few states in the country that makes it a crime to spread misinformation about the election process. The law was passed in 2007.

Virginia State Police have opened an investigation into who is circulating the flyer.

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