S.D. voter fraud tied to one person

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2002

Evidence of voter fraud among Native Americans in South Dakota is being linked to a former Democratic party worker.

Attorney general Mark Barnett said Becky Red Earth-Villeda is tied to at least 15 false absentee ballot applications. A total of 25 counties are being examined.

According to Barnett, the applications are deemed bogus because investigators talked to the person whose name appears on the ballot. "We have interviewed 15 people so far who said, 'That is not my signature.' You have to go out and grind it," he said, as reported by The Sioux Falls Argus Leader.

The probe has drawn interested due to its potential impact on the Senate race between incumbent Tim Johnson (D) and Congressman John Thune (R).

Get the Story:
15 false absentee ballot applications found (The Sioux Falls Argus Leader 10/25)
Duplicate voter records found (The Rapid City Journal 10/25)
Thune, Johnson battle over ads, issues (The Sioux Falls Argus Leader 10/25)
Blame game marks final debate (AP 10/25)

Relevant Links:
Attorney General South Dakota - http://www.state.sd.us/attorney/index.htm