Rumor Buster: Vote by Phone Scam
For Immediate Release: October 12, 2012
For More Information: Nikki Sheridan
ni************@sb*.gov
Voters Targeted with False Information on Ability to Vote by Phone
Voters, especially seniors, receiving calls and told they can vote by phone
Richmond, VA – The Virginia State Board of Elections (SBE) is aware that some Virginia voters, particularly older Virginians, are receiving phone calls from unidentified individuals informing voters that they can vote over the phone. This information is false. Virginia law does not permit voting through the telephone. Apart from voting at the polls on Election Day, eligible Virginians may vote an absentee ballot by mail or in-person at the registrar’s office or other authorized satellite location. However, voting cannot be done via the phone, email, or any other means than absentee voting by mail and in-person during the absentee voting period or on Election Day.
At this point in time, it is unclear how widespread these calls have been. However, SBE has received several complaints over the past few days.
These calls may violate several state and federal laws and the State Board of Elections will alert appropriate law enforcement authorities regarding this matter and provide new information if SBE receives additional voter complaints.
We encourage any voter who receives a call matching this description to ask for the name, phone number, and organization from where the individual is calling. We then ask voters to contact the State Board of Elections at 1-800-552-9745 and provide a staff member with that information.
