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Wednesday, October 1, 2008

Voter Intimidation Strikes Philly
With just weeks to go before the presidential election, voter intimidation has reared its ugly head here in Philly.

An anonymous flier is circulating in parts of North and West Philadelphia that says if you have outstanding warrants or traffic tickets, then police will arrest you at your polling place on election day. (For the complete flier, click here.)

Deputy Mayor for Public Safety Everett Gillison says he learned of the flier last week. He stressed that the message is completely false.

"The only thing that police officers are going to do that we’ll be encouraging that day is that they’ll be exercising their own individual right to vote," Gillison said.

Gillison plans to put up statements on the city and police websites to let people know that the handouts are false, as well as record a public service announcement. He has also referred the matter to the U.S. Attorney's Office and the District Attorney.

"We are not going to stand for any intimidation of voters. Not in this city," Gillison said.

Gillison said he did not know who was behind the fliers.
Posted by Catherine Lucey @ 3:08 PM  Permalink | 31 comments
Comments   
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 3:14 PM, 10/01/2008
    I don't see the problem. Sounds like a great idea.
    — Patrick M
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  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 3:27 PM, 10/01/2008
    I'll take a wild stab: racist republicans?
    — Dr. Martin von Nostrand
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 3:30 PM, 10/01/2008
    How many people with outstanding warrants turn out to vote in your average election? I mean ones who are alive, of course.
    — dartvader
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 3:40 PM, 10/01/2008
    They need to find out who did this and put them in jail.
    — MikeP
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 3:44 PM, 10/01/2008
    i think its a GREAT idea ... why should someone not willing to be a responsible citizen have the honor and privilege of voting in the first place??? ... and i don't care if they are WHITE, BLACK, BROWN, PURPLE, or PLAID ...
    — Mojo Thunder
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 3:50 PM, 10/01/2008
    The republican party has certainly sunk to some low standards. If McCain/Palin are that desperate, why don't they just solve the prolem by being qualified....then they would not have to resort to this underhanded politics that we are used to seeing from the GOP....anyone remember Florida?
    — jkelly
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  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 3:56 PM, 10/01/2008
    Hey mojo...voting is a right, not a privilege. Why should someone so ignorant in the basic foundations of our country have the privilege of voicing ridiculous opinions?
    — PhillyKev72
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 4:01 PM, 10/01/2008
    Wow! That is a cool idea. Think of all the police and detective overtime that we would save.
    — UnionMilkmen
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 4:08 PM, 10/01/2008
    All of the sudden, libs are law & order types. Go figure.
    — Patrick M


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About The Philly Clout Team
PhillyClout
Chris Brennan, a native Philadelphian and graduate of Temple University, joined the Daily News in 1999. He has written about SEPTA, the Philadelphia School District, the legalization of casino gambling, state government, the mayor, the governor, City Council and political campaigns.
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David Gambacorta spent a small eternity writing about cops, drug dealers and serial killers. Now he’s writing about power and politics ­– which sometimes reminds him of the old crime beat. He joined the Daily News in 2005. And yes, he knows you’re not quite sure how to pronounce his last name. E-mail tips to gambacd@phillynews.com
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Catherine Lucey joined the Daily News in 2002 and has written about murderous drug gangs, political protesters and Harry Potter. After covering the 2007 mayoral election, she moved over to the City Hall bureau where she has been reporting on the Nutter administration.
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Jan Ransom, a native New Yorker, joined the Daily News in 2010 after graduating from Howard University. She has since written about the difficulty of filing police complaints, tax deadbeats and life after violent home invasions. She joined the Daily News City Hall Bureau in 2011 and has plunged headfirst into reporting on administration budget battles and City Council shenanigans.
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Catherine Lucey
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Chris Brennan
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