French Steps In To Prevent Voter Fraud In Asbury Park Elections
After noticing a unusual spike in the request for messenger ballots in the upcoming municipal election in Asbury Park, Monmouth County Clerk M. Claire French instituted a requirement that all messengers sign an affidavit certifying that they have met with voters they are assisting; they are related to the voters or are themselves registered voters in Monmouth County; they will not act as messenger for more than 10 voters; they will deliver the ballots directly to the voters and not to any other individuals; and they are not candidates in the election.
Messengers also certify that they are aware that violating the Voting by Mail statute, which governs messenger ballots, is a crime in the third degree, according to a story first reported by Asbury Park Sun.
Since French started requiring the affidavits on April 17, only 5 of 42 messengers have submitted the paperwork and “almost no new messengers” have requested ballots.
The Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office will investigate messengers who do not return the required affidavits.
Asbury Park elects their entire governing body every four years in non-partisan elections. There are 22 candidates competing for 5 seats on the council in the election scheduled to take place on May 14.
Posted: April 29th, 2013 | Author: Art Gallagher | Filed under: 2013 Election, Asbury Park, Asbury Park Sun, Monmouth County Prosecutor | Tags: Asbury Park, M. Claire French, Messenger Ballots, Monmouth County Clerk, Voter Fraud | 3 Comments »