VSP identify source of mass voter registration mailings to Virginia households

February 8, 2008 | Virginia News

RICHMOND – Virginia State Police special agents have tracked down and identified the source of the mass mailing of voter registration applications to Virginia households across the Commonwealth.

The investigation was initiated Thursday (Feb. 7, 2008) after State Police was contacted by the State Board of Elections. On Wednesday and Thursday of this week, Virginia citizens began receiving recorded phone messages notifying them that a voter registration packet would be arriving in the mail. The individuals were then advised to complete, sign and mail in the application. Concerned because the messages did not specify who or where the packets were coming from, many of the citizens contacted their local registrar to find out if it was legitimate.

The investigation revealed that the phone calls and packets were generated by Women’s Voices Women Vote, a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization based out of Washington, DC. The organization is targeting more than 228,000 unmarried women in Virginia and 22 other states in an effort to increase voter registration and participation.

The voter registration application contained in the packet is a legitimate voter registration form commonly accepted by the State Board of Elections. The organization provided prepaid envelopes addressed to the State Board of Elections.

“Those individuals who may have completed this form and sent it in, do not have to worry,” said Nancy Rodrigues, Secretary of the State Board of Elections. “The personal information provided in the application is safe. Upon receipt of their application, it will be sent to their local registrar’s office for processing. Once the voter has successfully registered they will receive a voter registration card in the mail.”

No charges will be placed against the organization, as neither the statewide phone solicitations nor mass mailings violate state law.

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NOTE: Women’s Voices Women Vote has issued a press release with more information on this campaign, which is available at http://www.wvwv.org/2008/2/7/womens-voices-women-vote-launches-national-voter-registration-drive.