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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2002

Accusations over alleged voter fraud among Indian voters in South Dakota continue as the crucial Senate race between incumbent Tim Johnson (D) and Congressman John Thune (R) nears.

The state Democratic party has registered at least 17,000 new voters. According to The Washington Post, about one-fourth live on or near reservations.

Democrats say the investigation over irregularities is an attempt by the Republican Party to prevent Indian turnout. Native American voters could end up deciding the race.

One worker tied to the Democrat party has been indicted on five counts of forgery. Another worker was fired but has not been charged.

Native voters are being encouraged to go the polls in spite of the scandal. "I hope they just go right on ahead and vote their conscience," said Webster Two Hawk, the state commissioner of tribal-government, according to the Associated Press.

Get the Story:
Voter Registrations Are Probed (The Washington Post 10/24)
Indians urged to go to the polls (AP 10/24)
Rosenthal urges election monitors (AP 10/24)

Related Stories:
Opinion: Don't let illiterate Indians vote (10/23)
All eyes on South Dakota for votes (10/22)
Charges of Indian voter fraud denied (10/18)
Editorial: Investigate voter fraud (10/18)
S.D. voter fraud probe continues (10/17)
'More and more' cases of voter fraud (10/16)
Thune: S.D. vote challenge not my idea (10/16)
Problems cited with Indian voter drive (10/15)
Native voters said key in S.D. races (09/02)