Secretary of State
Officials Continue Election Integrity Taskforce to Fight Voter Fraud

(FRANKFORT, KY) – Officials from across the Commonwealth, including the Commonwealth’s chief law-enforcement official and chief elections officer, want citizens to know that they will once again be working together with agencies throughout the state as part of a task force to prevent and investigate allegations of voter fraud during the November 2, 2010 general election.  Attorney General Jack Conway and Secretary of State Trey Grayson specifically noted that the Kentucky Election Integrity Taskforce has seen many recent successes, including several convictions. 

Secretary Grayson, who serves as the Chairman of the State Board of Elections, noted that the cooperation between the agencies had been “tremendous” but that the success of these efforts require the help of citizens.

“The success of any election includes the vigilance of Kentucky citizens, and their reporting anything that they may find unusual concerning the election.  I encourage all citizens to report any irregularities, both large and small, so that our agencies may work together to address these issues as quickly as possible.  Together, we will work to ensure that every citizen can participate in a fair and honest election,” said Secretary Grayson.

The Office of the Attorney General has jurisdiction to investigate and prosecute violations of the Kentucky election laws.  By law, the Attorney General administers programs to observe the conduct of elections, maintains a toll-free hotline to receive reports of election law violations, investigates any such violations, takes appropriate enforcement action and conducts post-election audits based on random selection in counties throughout Kentucky. The Election Fraud Hotline is 1-800-328-VOTE (800-328-8683).  The hotline is available throughout the year during normal business hours.   On November 2nd, calls will be received from 6 a.m. EST until 7 p.m. EST.

“We need Kentucky voters to be our eyes and ears on Election Day,” General Conway said.  “We will have investigators from my office patrolling precincts throughout the Commonwealth, but we need citizens to join with us to ensure we have a fair election and every vote counts.”

The State Board of Elections will also be fielding calls about the election from now through Election Day.  Citizens are encouraged to contact their local county clerk or the State Board of Elections with general election concerns or for election information.

Officials from each agency have been meeting in recent weeks to prepare for the election, discussing any potential issues and problem areas. 

            Because federal races will be on the ballot, the offices of the U.S. Attorney’s for both the Western and Eastern Districts in Kentucky will be conducting their traditional Voting Integrity Initiatives.

David J. Hale, United States Attorney for the Western District of Kentucky, stated, “Election fraud and other voting rights abuses dilute the value of honestly cast votes and corrupt our electoral system.  These crimes will be dealt with promptly and aggressively.  Anyone with information regarding election fraud or voting rights abuses should immediately report the individual or individuals responsible to my office, the Kentucky Attorney General’s office, or the FBI.”

“Voter fraud undermines the democratic process and diminishes a basic right of all Americans. As always the U.S. Attorney’s Office will work closely with our colleagues following the elections to discuss any suspected voter fraud activity,” said Kerry Harvey, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky.

During the primary, the Office of the Attorney General’s Election Fraud Hotline received 116 calls on Election Day from 43 counties.  The figures include 36 calls related to alleged vote buying/selling and six calls on general election fraud.

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