Tuesday, October 26, 2004
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal

Democratic officials: Republicans to try to intimidate voters

GOP: Poll watcher claims part of playbook

Nevada Democratic Party representatives said Monday their Republican opponents plan to intimidate voters next week by challenging the legitimacy of Democrats at the polls.

Democratic Party spokesman Jon Summers said Republican poll watchers plan to target voters and challenge their right to vote as lines gather outside voting booths during what's expected to be the busiest election in years.

"They are looking to take as many Democrats off the roll as possible," Summers said. "This a systematic approach, here and across the country."

A Republican activist told students about the plan in a law school class at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Summers said. Brian Scroggins, chairman of the Clark County Republican Party, said he knows of no such plan.

The allegations echo campaign tactics laid out in the Democratic National Committee playbook, Scroggins said.

It instructs Democrats across the country to launch "pre-emptive strikes" against Republicans to cast doubt on the results if an election turns out to be close, Scroggins said.

"We anticipate they will continue to make allegations because that is what their playbook says," Scroggins said.

Larry Lomax, Clark County's top election official, said a poll watcher can challenge a voter's residency or identity.