The Daily Times - County GOP cries voter fraud (Delaware Cty, PA - Philly?)

By MARLENE DiGIACOMO, mdigiacomo@delcotimes10/27/2004

MEDIA COURTHOUSE -- When a change-of-registration form was filed by a 98-year-old resident at the Fair Acres Geriatric Center -- as part of the crush of new registrations and other forms inundating Delaware County's election officials during this year's highly charged presidential race -- employees were first taken aback. Then they became concerned.

County District Attorney G. Michael Green said it became clear from the previous form filed by the nonagenarian that the signature was a forgery.

That form was one of at least 60 that Green said were fraudulent, setting off an investigation by his office.

Similar fraud allegations have been made by Republicans in Philadelphia and other counties; Pennsylvania Democrats say their opponents are running scared.

The allegations are the latest twist in Tuesday's presidential contest, which has sparked widespread excitement.

'Interest in the 2004 general election has exceeded all those in recent memory in Delaware County,' said county Solicitor John McBlain, who also spoke at Tuesday's press conference. McBlain, who is also treasurer of the county Republican Party and vice president of Aldan Borough Council, said this year's election has seen an unparalleled amount of voter registration applications and absentee ballot applications.

He said more than 27,000 new registrations have been filed, and to date more than 15,000 applications for absentee ballots have been received and processed. There are currently 198,400 Republicans, 119,166 Democrats, 34,997 non-partisans, 1,143 Libertarians and 588 Green Party members in the county. New registrations have been 2 to 1 Democrat.

"Unfortunately, it appears that some individuals have attempted to take advantage of our election system by fraudulently filing forms to vote, voter registration applications and obtaining absentee ballots fraudulently," said McBlain.

Republicans across the country have been making similar allegations in recent weeks. The Philadelphia GOP on Tuesday questioned the validity of 10,000 new registrations.

Numbers such as those have Green and other Republican officials in the county running scared, charged state Democratic Party Chairman T.J. Rooney.