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MONDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2002

A New Jersey lawyer who once served as general counsel for the Republican National Committee led the so-called investigation into alleged voter fraud among American Indians in South Dakota, The Sioux Falls Argus Leader reports.

David Norcross arrived in the state a week before the November 5 election. He told the paper that he and two other local GOP lawyers targeted areas where there might be problems -- in this case, reservations.

Norcross said he heard rumors that Sen. Tim Johnson's (D-S.D.) campaign was offering $10 to vote. So he and the attorneys prepared pre-worded affidavits describing the alleged practice.

A local Republican official then took them to the Rosebud Sioux Reservation to find people willing to sign. Three people signed, and all of them happened to be tied to one man, Ed Charging Elk, who said he didn't tell anyone to do that.

Attorney general Mark Barnett, a Republican, said the affidavits were fraudulent. Norcross defended his work and said it showed that voter laws need to be changed.

Johnson defeated Republican John Thune by 524 votes, thanks to Indian voters.

Get the Story:
Republicans defend probe of voter fraud (The Sioux Falls Argus Leader 12/23)

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