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July 18, 2007

Voter fraud charges fly in East Providence

EAST PROVIDENCE -- The chairwoman of the city’s Canvassing Authority wants the state to send every registered voter in East Providence a mailing to confirm where live.

Dorothy O’Gara’s announcement came today, the morning The Journal reported that Republican Party members have accused O’Gara of aiding and abetting voter fraud.

They say she stalled scheduling meetings so the city couldn’t prosecute residents who illegally voted in the 2006 primary and general election.

The three-member board has not had a meeting since January and by state law, local officials have 12 months to press charges.

The Republicans say the one year expires next month, which is when O’Gara said she will begin her campaign.

The chairman of the state Republican Party, Giovanni Cicione, said East Providence has “one of the most embarrassing records on fair elections” in the state.

During the 2004 election, 13 people were charged with voter fraud after they cast ballots in East Providence.

“There is a small core group of people who have, on the one hand complained about the accuracy of the list and accused me of delaying a meeting of the authority, and all the while have carefully orchestrated a series of situations that have made it difficult for me to carry on with the business of the board,” O’Gara said.

-- Journal staff writer Alisha A. Pina

Posted by Mike McKinney  at 6:30 AM | Permalink

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