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Filed under Politics (National) BREAKING: Vote Today Ohio WIthdraws Ohio Votes
Tiffany Wilson reporting from Columbus (2008-10-31 01:29:39)
More questionable votes discovered by Palestra.net were withdrawn today, Palestra.net has learned.
Amy Little and Yolanda Hippensteele, co-founders of Vote Today Ohio, withdrew their ballots cast in Franklin County, OH late Thursday night. Tate Hausman, another co-founder, filed for cancellation of registration.
Matt Damschroeder, a member of the Franklin County Board of Elections, confirmed this information in an email. The board already opened Hausman's ballot and Damschroeder said Hausman cannot withdraw his vote. Damschroeder said Hausman is now in Franklin County Prosecutor Ron O'Brien's hands "to figure out how to handle it."
Palestra.net first questioned the residency of these individuals last week when we made the connection that Little, Hippensteele and Hausman all registered to vote from the same address: 1979 N. Fourth Avenue. This Columbus-area duplex serves as both their temporary home and get out the vote headquarters. None of the founders have ties to Ohio outside of their election efforts.
When I first spoke with Hausman last week, he said came to Ohio in August and has been encouraging Ohioans to vote in Tuesday's election ever since.
I spoke with Hausman the day after Vote From Home, a similar GOTV group, made a deal with the prosecutor and withdrew all of their ballots and registrations. Hausman said he knew the group. Both VTO and Vote From Home involved out-of-state volunteers casting ballots in Ohio. When I asked if Hausman's group was any different or if he planned to withdraw his ballot, Hausman repeated his statement that they were encouraging all Ohioans to vote.
According to the Ohio Revised Code, a person must be a resident of Ohio to vote in Ohio's election. A resident is defined as someone who has lived in the state for at least 30 days before the election in which they want to cast a ballot and has the intent to make Ohio their permanent residence. New York state records show Hausman owns a home with his wife in New York City.
Voter fraud is a fourth degree felony in Ohio. If prosecuted for voting illegally in a federal election, Hausman could face up to five years in prison and a $10,000 fine.
Until Tuesday, Little advised NY Congressman John Hall's re-election campaign. When campaign managers learned Little's ballot was under investigation in Ohio, they immediately fired her. "We terminated her contract on Tuesday, " campaign spokesperson Susan Spear said over the phone Thursday afternoon.
However, Vote Today Ohio is singing a different tune. "Amy Little resigned from the campaign of her own accord," said VTO spokesperson Pam Kapoor. Little did not return my calls and could not be reached for comment.
Stay with Palestra.net as this story continues to develop.
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